Core Business Trends that are Making the Oil and Gas Industry Greener

Many industries were and continue to be impacted by the global pandemic, including the oil and gas industry. While this industry was already facing some issues prompted by factors such as politics and the fall in profit in certain countries, COVID-19 certainly worsened the situation all over the world. However, these problems also inspired the hunt for effective solutions, which is why a series of new trends emerged. Read on to find out what core business trends are changing the oil and gas industry today. 

The proposed changes to the business model

For the most part, the business model of the oil and gas industry was based on the prediction that the demand for fossil fuel would increase in line with the global expansion of the economy. The issue is that in reality, while the demand was rising, the oil and gas companies relied on subsidies to facilitate the production. This proved to be inefficient, as fossil fuel was and continues to be underpriced. Slowly, some changes are being proposed and made to combat this problem. What also prompted some proposals for changes to be made to the business model was the upsurge in the use of the hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” method. This traditional technique is used to extract oil and natural gas from the ground. Many oil and gas companies experienced a negative return on investment, as they were spending more on extraction, particularly fracking, as well as on production than they earned. Apart from that, hydraulic fracturing has gained some notoriety as sometimes mishaps happen during this process, which negatively affects the environment.

The implementation of modern tech for reduced on-site safety risks

Oil and gas industry sites are full of safety hazards. Although safety measures that were already in place were carefully created to ensure workers’ safety, they are constantly being revised and updated. Currently, there is a trend to implement modern tech to reduce on-site safety risks. For example, advanced robotic machinery can carry out automatic pipe handling, putting manual workers out of harm’s way. Furthermore, wearable technology is yet another tool utilized to prevent accidents involving employees. Some of these devices are able to track the workers’ state of health by means of measuring their heart rate, blood pressure, and so on, as well as to detect the presence of toxic chemicals. One hazardous chemical that employees in the oil and gas industry often come across is hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Quality H2S treatment equipment can help administer safe H2S removal from water vapor-saturated gas. 

The rise in automation with the help of the Internet of Things (IoT)

Internet of Things
The schematic presentation of the automation of the process

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized many industries, and the oil and gas industry is no exception. Therefore, a growing trend in this industry is the use of IoT to connect robotic machinery and other devices equipped with smart sensors to IoT platforms. This allows for real-time monitoring and data collection to help improve the production process in the future and make informed business decisions. Additionally, IoT sensors make it possible to automate certain processes, such as the ordering of supplies. The way this works is that the sensor would signal that there is a shortage of supplies and the software automatically places the order. Automation of repetitive tasks is being implemented to tackle the problem of workforce scarcity.  

More inclination toward sustainability 

Finding sustainable solutions in terms of the processes of drilling and production in the sphere of oil and gas has long been in the talks. This trend has been on the rise in recent years due to the fact that society is becoming more aware of the effects that a number of industries have on the environment and is willing to implement changes to combat this issue. For instance, there has been a tendency to lower the usage of freshwater by recycling. Also, some oil and gas companies are reducing methane emissions by incorporating more efficient leak detections.

Essentially, the current business trends in the oil and gas industry have to do with the changes in the business model which mostly stem from advancements in technology. In addition to that, people are generally becoming more environmentally aware. Modern tech has enabled the workflow to run more smoothly and safely, and more environmentally-friendly solutions are being developed. 

Why Jewelry is an Essential Piece in Every Woman’s Closet

Jewelry is mostly seen as an element of fashion that completes an ensemble by most of the people out there. Many people even believe that a style is incomplete without adding an appropriate piece of jewelry with it. For example, pearls and diamonds are required to complete a “classic” aesthetic. On the other hand, silver coin necklaces and sterling silver cross necklace are taking up the industry. 

For centuries, jewelry has played a vital part in humans’ lifestyles. We know from history that civilizations valued jewelry and that it was utilized to enhance the inherent attractiveness of those who wore it. Jewelry pieces are worn to represent various meanings, including security, knowledge, elegance, and prosperity.

Many women wear jewelry such as a moon necklace in silver to signify femininity. Accessories may also boost a woman’s self-esteem and make her feel more attractive in society. 

5 Primary Reasons That Reveals Why Jewelry Is Important To Women:

  • It Makes You Look Astounding Everyday Especially On A Special Occasion.

Women highly value jewelry, and its significance in their life now. It has become quite easy to comprehend the significance of jewelry, considering that people have worn it for generations. The popularity continues to grow as new types and patterns of accessories are introduced in the market. However, most women are unable to attend significant occasions such as weddings, graduations, award ceremonies, birthday celebrations, and anniversaries because of a lack of appropriate jewelry. Without wearing jewelry, one may feel dull and underdressed. To solve this problem, one must have dainty pieces in their wardrobe like silver coin necklaces, sterling silver circle earrings, etc. 

  • Jewelry Works As A Good Thing For Investment

Jewelry isn’t only for adornment; certain pieces may be excellent investments as well as they have a resellable worth in the market. Therefore, your precious metal jewelry collection can serve as an excellent safety net. If you buy jewelry pieces as an investment, you would probably buy the more expensive ones and mostly the ones you want in your closet. However, it is crucial to buy those jewelry sets from trusted brands in the market.

Gold and silver are precious metals; thus, having jewelry in these can metals is an excellent option. The jewelry pieces like sterling silver coin necklaces or gold circle earrings can be easily melted down and turned into bars or new jewelry pieces. Their value fluctuates based on economic factors.  

  • Jewelry Enhances Self Confidence And Makes You Feel Good

When you wear the appropriate item on the right occasion, jewelry holds the capacity to bring out the best of a woman’s looks and personality. Jewelry is vital for every woman since it may make them feel beautiful, trendy, unique, and self-assured. It eventually contributes to a woman’s self-esteem, so it is so important to so many women.

  • It Is Often Expensive And Valuable Gift For Women 
Gift
The woman is feeling enthusiastic about the present she has got

There is a vast range of jewelry for ladies in the market. It is completely dependent on the occasion and the amount of money that a man can or wants to spend on a gift for their partner. The cost of jewelry can range in everyone’s budget, depending on the metal you choose. Platinum and diamond jewelry is the most expensive, whereas silver jewelry is quite affordable for all.

  • It May Have Sentimental Value For Women 

Women’s jewelry has a sentimental significance that exceeds its monetary worth in some cases. An engagement ring, necklace, or earrings, for example, can have vastly higher intrinsic value and be something to love for a lifetime. Furthermore, some are passed down to future generations, increasing sentimental worth.

Where To Find?

Now that you know that jewelry is essential for every woman’s closet. It is best to purchase it from an assured website, i.e. Astrid Schumacher. It is the best platform to look for sterling silver coin necklaces, silver circle earrings, moon necklace silver, sterling silver star necklace, and much more. So visit us to check our inventory today!

Fun Water Sports and Activities to Try at Least Once

If you’re adventurous, there are many ways you can spend your free time and enjoy being outdoors. During the summer, adrenalin junkies like to use any opportunity to be in the water and try out different water sports. For some, finding new and thrilling activities is the best way to spend their holidays, so browsing through different water sports is what seems like a perfect vacation or a weekend getaway. What’s great about water sports is that you can enjoy many of them at the beach or at a lake, and enjoy some of the most picturesque sceneries in the background. If you’re looking for a way to cool off, spend time with your friends, or simply relax after a long and hard week, here are some of the activities you can enjoy.

Parasailing

Although this may sound scary at the beginning, this is the closest to flying you can go. Being attached to a boat while having a parachute is what people have been doing for decades in order to see the water from a new perspective. There are even some rides that could fit two or three people, making this a perfect activity for couples.

Flyboard flying

Although you’ll need some practice if you want to be able to truly enjoy this activity, there’s something childish that attracts people to try and fly out from the water. Even though the ride itself usually lasts for only a few seconds, people are attracted to the idea that they could last the longest, which results in multiple attempts that are always funny and great to look at. So, if you want to have fun trying to stay above the surface and balance your weight – this is the way to go. This is also a great activity for those who’d like to work out while trying out something new and interesting.

Rafting

Rafting
A group of people is cheering in the boat during rafting

If you’re looking for a group activity, your answer is rafting. This is something most people like to try because you’ll be able to run through water in a boat surrounded by amazing nature. This is an activity that combines adrenaline and a great view, and if you pick a breathless location – even better! Europe has some of the most beautiful places for rafting and one of the most popular is stunning Tara rafting where you’ll be able to go through river rapids and see why this activity has such high adrenaline rush.

Paddleboarding

If you’re looking for something less serious and would like an activity that doesn’t require a lot of adrenaline or speed, think about paddleboarding as your next great adventure. What’s so great about this activity is that you create your own tempo and you can always take a break and enjoy the scenery. In addition to that, this is a great family activity or one you can enjoy with your friends because you can always make stops to relax and talk. This is a great activity for those who have a fear of doing anything related to water because it gives them time to relax and think about all the benefits of being in touch with nature.

Scuba diving

Scuba diving
A couple is investigating coral rocks doing scuba diving

This is something that usually relates to vacations where people use the opportunity to explore nature in all shapes and forms they can. If you’re not afraid of going under the water and seeing all the beautiful corals and creatures, be prepared for the adventure of a lifetime. It will require a bit of preparation because, though scuba dividing sounds simple, some people can’t really breathe using an air tank and therefore they get anxious under the water. However, if you relax and give it a chance, you’ll be hooked for life because this is thrilling and exciting, especially for those who are attracted to seeing the underwater life and who love the opportunity to swim around some of the most interesting creatures in the world.

For some, water means relaxation and enjoying spending time not doing anything. But there are those who like to be active and try many different things in order to see how enjoyable they are. These are some of the best choices if you’d like to get into water sports and learn how to start your adrenaline rushing, so start checking them out now!

8 Health Benefits of Probiotics for Your Dog

When it comes to supporting our immune and digestive systems, many of us take probiotics. Each time you take a probiotic, you are supporting the good bacteria in your GI tract. However, what you may not be aware of is that your pooch can benefit from probiotics too. Regardless of age, breed, or gender, here are some of the amazing health benefits of probiotics for dogs.

Alleviate Digestive Issues

If your furry friend is stressed or not feeling their best, there can be disruption between the healthy and illness-causing microbes in their gut. This can result in an array of issues, such as cramping, bad breath, and diarrhea. Thankfully, there are natural probiotics for dogs from companies like Native Pet, which can treat these problems. Native Pet is an expert when it comes to natural probiotics for dogs, thanks to the four simple ingredients in their products, which can address acute and chronic diarrhea and support your pooch’s upset stomach. If you are not sure what probiotics to give to your dog, it’s best to speak to experts like these or contact your vet for advice. 

Reduce the Side Effects of Antibiotics

If you need to give your dog antibiotics to treat an infection or illness, they don’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria. This means that while antibiotics are great at fighting infections, they can cause a range of side effects such as diarrhea. Before you give your loyal companion antibiotics, it may be worth starting them on probiotics a couple of days in advance. Doing so can ward off unpleasant side effects associated with antibiotic treatment. No one wants to see their dog in pain or discomfort, so taking this step will help keep your best friend in check. 

Ease Chronic Gastrointestinal Distress

For those who have dogs that suffer from chronic intestinal distress, it may be wise to give them a high-quality dog probiotic each day. This can help in replenishing their gut with healthy bacteria. Don’t just take our word for it either. You’ll find many vets are turning towards probiotics to help ease the suffering linked with chronic gastrointestinal distress, such as bloating or an upset stomach. 

Promote Positive Behavior

In an ideal world, our dogs would be on their best behavior at all times. As you may be all too aware, this isn’t always the case! If your pooch is acting out of character or wreaking havoc around the house, it may be time to look into probiotics. This is because they can boost your pet’s mood for the greater good. Once your dog’s digestive system is free of bloating, constipation, and diarrhea, they will feel more at ease and less irritable, which will promote positive behavior. 

Reduce Skin Allergy Symptoms

The majority of your dog’s immune system can be found in the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it makes sense to balance their system with probiotics, which will boost their immune system and reduce allergy symptoms. These can include rashes from a skin allergy. Numerous studies support this theory too, after demonstrating that dog probiotics may help manage allergies. 

Support Dental Health

When you give your dog probiotics, they will increase the number of good bacteria in their mouth. This can alleviate chronic disorders and bad breath. However, it may take a little longer to see any benefits, as the probiotics can get swallowed quickly. Your pooch’s dental care is just as important as your own for preventing tooth loss, preventing pain, and avoiding gum disease and inflammation, so it makes sense to look into probiotics. 

Minimize Upset Stomachs When Switching Food

We all want our dogs to eat a balanced diet that will support their mind and body. If there has come a time when you need to alter your furry friend’s diet, know that making changes can cause an upset stomach. You don’t want to see your dog in distress, so before you change your pet’s food, it’s wise to start them on probiotics first. Make sure you continue using probiotics for the first couple of days, as this will help your pooch’s digestive tract get used to its new diet. 

Help Senior Dogs Feel Better

Dog
A dog is playing with a toy

No matter how much we try and fight it, our dogs have to go through the aging process too. Within a blink of an eye, your once thriving, excitable puppy has entered their senior years. As your dog reaches this milestone, it may suffer from more digestive issues. To stabilize your dog’s gut and digestive tract, probiotics may be the answer. These can improve your dog’s quality of life and help them get the most out of their golden years. 

Giving your canine companion probiotics can benefit their health and wellbeing, helping them to lead a happy and fulfilled life.

Maintaining Calmness and Focus Naturally

We live in an increasingly hectic world. Stress is daily, and though there is a difference between good and bad stress, constant exposure to it affects our physical and mental well-being. As our environment is so fast-paced, we often tend to look for stress relief solutions that are fast, too. However, calmness and focus are not achievable with one magic pill that we can simply pop or just one simple practice we can do. 

Through different strategies used together, along with proper stress management, you can start to achieve better calm, clarity, and focus. With that in mind, here we’ll explore three natural ways to help restore both the calmness and the focus in your daily life so you can deal better with stress and ace your goals. Read on to find out which you can do – or feel free to do them all together!

Exercise

Nothing elevates one’s mood better than a good round of exercise, whether it’s walking a few laps around the block or sweating it out at the gym. It can release endorphins, the feel-good hormones, freeing you from the fight-or-flight response that stress can trigger. Plus, exercise is also an affordable way to restore calmness and focus, as you don’t need to spend anything to enjoy it. Though nice to have, exercise equipment is always optional, and there are plenty of body-weight exercises you can perform. 

Be sure to make exercise a regular part of your routine. Aim for at least thirty minutes of brisk exercise at least three times a week for the best results. Don’t forget to switch up your exercise routines now and then, either, and do a combination of strength training and cardio workouts, if you can. You can even try dancing or training for a marathon for more fun and competitive way to get those endorphins flowing.

Meditation

When you meditate, you focus your attention and eliminate the jumble of thoughts that can crowd your mind and cause stress. This process may lead to deeper relaxation and a more peaceful state of mind. And again, you don’t need fancy equipment to start practicing meditation. There are also lots of meditation strategies you can choose from. 

Yoga, for example, is one of them. Reflection isn’t limited to sitting on the floor with your eyes closed and chanting mantras, though. Everyday activities, especially those you enjoy, like cooking, cleaning, gardening, drawing and coloring, and journaling, can meditate on a person. Self-care is also a form of meditation. Following certain diets and lifestyles to mindfully avoid health problems is included in self-care. 

Proper Nutrition

Fruits
A different kind of fruits are placed on a rag in nature

Do you experience stress-eating? Although this practice feels super rewarding at the moment, chances are it’s not doing you or your body a lot of good. Most comfort foods we seek are not the best out there. Cakes and pastries, a popular choice for many, teems with excessive carbohydrates and sugar. Other stuff, such as takeout food, contains many calories but doesn’t satisfy hunger compared to whole, natural foods.

Eating junk foods is also related to increased levels of stress. It’s counterproductive to reach out for a piece of a donut or a huge bowl of ice cream when you’re stressed and trying to be calm and focused. Reverse the effects of stress-eating and aim for proper nutrition instead. When feeling stressed and out of focus, choose healthier options like beans, nuts, fruits, and vegetables instead of processed goodies. Natural foods can also help provide vitamins necessary to reduce brain fog and make you more focused and calm.

When to Ask for Help

If you practice these natural ways to feel calmer and more focused, but you still feel overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. The inability to focus and keep calm can be a symptom of an underlying condition, like ADHD. When your lack of focus and calm puts you in difficult situations in your daily life, a visit to the doctor is a must. Your doctor can confirm if it is indeed ADHD and rule out other possible conditions. 

Medications intended for ADHD, such as Adderall XR or Strattera, are likely to be prescribed, helping you focus on your tasks and calms you down. Yes, maintaining calmness and focus during stressful times can be a challenge, but it does not mean it is not achievable. With proper exercise (at least three times a week!), meditation, and good nutrition, you can finally regain your calm and return your focus to the essential aspects of life.

Making Remote Work Sustainable for 2022 and Beyond

In 2020, working from home was far from a personal decision for many employees, as the global pandemic forced everyone to adapt to the new circumstances and make their homes their offices. Nevertheless, a lot of workers found remote working to be more efficient than their usual, on-site positions. A survey conducted by Flex Jobs revealed that an astounding 65% of respondents wish to remain full-time remote employees permanently. Some of the major benefits of remote work they listed were cost-efficiency and increased productivity. On the other hand, the biggest challenges the participants reported were the inability to step away from work and unreliable technology. Some also noted that this way of working took a toll on their mental health. This means that to utilize these benefits, some adjustments need to be made. Keeping this in mind, here are the essential steps to making remote work sustainable for 2022 and beyond. 

Establish a well-rounded digital workplace

When the pandemic forced most companies to send their employees to work from home, no one was prepared. The most common way to manage remote teams was by using popular apps that allow for group video calls to hold meetings and exchange information through email. Although these options serve their purpose, to make the work-from-home situation a long-term solution, there need to be some upgrades. Thus, building a reliable and fully-developed digital workplace is highly recommended. What this entails is employing pieces of software that can easily be integrated with each other while choosing the ones that are best suited for the tasks at hand. Apart from that, the employees need reliable hardware, so providing the necessary equipment for them can help prevent the issues with the tech. 

Introduce remote work training

Training employees for their job position is always a viable option to help them reach their full potential. Applying this exact principle to remote work environments can increase motivation and foster productivity. That’s because switching to a remote position requires learning how to navigate all the new software used to build the digital workspace. Being immersed in this novel environment can be a handful, leading to confusion and stress. Thus, training workers how to carry out their duties while working remotely gives them time to process all the new information and make a smooth transition. Even work-from-home veterans can benefit from training, as no company is the same. Having a fully trained staff can help companies with effectively managing a remote team.

Woman
A young woman is working at her laptop

Maintain regular communication with the remote employees

Finding ways to effectively communicate with customers on a remote business model is certainly one of the keys to running a successful business. While clients are undeniably important, so is communicating with the employees. Even though they aren’t present in an office, that doesn’t mean they should be neglected. Since working from home can be isolating, these workers may need extra motivation. Checking on them constantly would disrupt the workflow but finding ways to translate the socialization that usually happens in the office can be very beneficial. Apart from the usual meetings and essential communication, this can include encouraging teams to have virtual coffee breaks. Additionally, there could be virtual team-building events, and if possible, occasional meetups in person. This could help workers still feel like essential members of the team, despite seemingly working alone.

Setting boundaries to ensure work-life balance

There’s no denying that there are numerous perks of remote work that appeal to employees, as well as companies. However, one of the major challenges that arise from this approach is that the boundaries between life and work become a bit murky. Many have reported that they find it difficult to find a work-life balance, especially if their hours are flexible. There are a few different factors that may cause this problem, some of which can be fixed by the remote worker if they find a way to schedule their workday better. However, in some cases, it is not up to the worker. It can be impossible to step away from work when there aren’t any set boundaries, meaning that anyone can contact the employees for work-related purposes at any given time. Thus, establishing the time frame when everyone can be contacted is essential.

By putting in some effort to create a well-established and practical work environment, one can turn remote work into a long-term solution. The key is to provide tools that will make the workflow run smoothly, as well as ways to encourage the employees in the virtual environment.

What Constitutes Sexual Harassment at Work?

Imagine you’re in this situation.

You’ve recently begun working as the manager of a new bar. You’re a little nervous about taking over as the new boss, but a senior colleague appears to be more than willing to show you the ropes, and you don’t question it — why should you?

Then you start to see this coworker behaving in ways that make you feel uneasy — a remark here, a slip of the hand there. You shrug it off and go about your business – perhaps you misunderstood?

Until something happens, a line is crossed, and you can no longer ignore it.

At what point does a situation like this constitute sexual harassment in the workplace? It’s an important question and one that is being asked more and more every year.

Is it acceptable to lean over someone at work? What about admiring them for their good looks? Is it ever acceptable to try to kiss a coworker? Where is the dividing line?

What Does The Law Say?

Me too
A young woman is holding a paper with the message me too

Sexual harassment is defined as any unwanted sexual behaviour (i.e., something sexual or related to your gender). Some of the feelings you may get if experiencing this include;

  • An offence to your dignity
  • Makes you feel threatened, humiliated, or degraded
  • Makes the surroundings unfriendly or offensive

Having ‘dignity’ simply implies being deserving of respect, which we are all legally entitled to. So, if you’re treated in a way that violates your dignity, it’s another way of expressing you’ve been mistreated and still feel that way. As a result, when it comes to sexual harassment at work, it is being treated with disrespect because of a sex-related issue.

It’s vital to remember that whether or not unwanted sexual conduct violates a person’s dignity or creates an offensive environment is determined by the victim’s viewpoint and whether or not their reaction is fair. 

This essentially means that a third party would believe the victim’s reaction is the same as that of any other ‘regular person.’

Most of us will be able to identify with these emotions somehow. However, like with the rest of the definition, the wording is based on how the behavior ‘makes you feel,’ not how the person who is doing it means to make you feel.

It doesn’t matter if you intended to harass someone sexually or thought it was just ‘banter. If it makes the other person feel uncomfortable, then it’s sexual harassment.

What’s the best way to tell if you’ve experienced sexual harassment?

Sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality; the unpleasant behavior can come from someone of the same or different sex.

A pattern of inappropriate behavior, repeated by someone in the workplace, that the victim has asked to cease, but that continues despite the victim’s request. On the other hand, one-offs can be considered sexual harassment, and it doesn’t matter if someone else doesn’t see things the same way you do.

Sexual comments or jokes, unwanted sexual advances or touching, suggestive looks, gazing or leering, intrusive sexual questioning, spreading sexual rumors, and sending sexually explicit emails or images are all examples of sexual harassment at work. 

If you find yourself in this position, then you may want to think about getting the assistance of highly seasoned sex crime attorneys to help advise you of where you’re going next.

Summary

Sexual harassment is not a joke, nor is it something you should ignore. Nobody wants to or should have to work in an environment that makes them feel uncomfortable, and if your sexual behavior is making someone feel that way, it’s considered sexual harassment, and you should take action to prevent it from continuing to you or someone around you.

Riding an Electric Mountain Bike: What You Need to Know

Cycling is a great form of exercise that burns a lot of calories without putting too much strain on the body. If you are considering getting a mountain bike, consider getting an electric mountain bike. Such a bike allows you to ride for longer, go on steeper trails, and take your bike out a lot more. Riding a mountain bike is slightly different from riding a conventional bike. Here are some tips that can help you get the most out of your electric mountain bike.

A Higher Cadence is Better

You need a lot of torque if you take your bike out on a trail. A major benefit of an electric bike is that the motor can provide the extra torque you require for a better riding experience. One thing to note is that the bike provides more torque as you increase your cadence. Your cadence is often dictated by how many revolutions you make per minute. A higher cadence, around 50-60 rotations per minute, makes the motor more efficient and gives you the power you are looking for when out on a trail.

Be Careful With Turbo Power

Turbo power refers to the amount of power you get from the motor to assist your rides. A higher power setting gives you more assistance but drains your battery quickly. This can be disadvantageous if you hit a steep part of the trail and do not have the power to assist you as you climb. 

To get the most out of your bike, try to use the higher battery power setting on steeper parts of your trail. One thing to remember is that switching from a low power setting to a higher one can cause you to flip backward. To avoid this, try to increase the power gradually, slide forward and lean forward when using the higher power setting.

Consider Getting Insurance

While most people understand why you need insurance for your car or home, many cyclists do not think that they need insurance for their bikes. An electric bike, especially a mountain bike, can be pricey, and thus you need to protect it by getting the right insurance. The good news for cyclists is that there are companies that now provide electric bicycle insurance. Companies like Velosurance provide cover for crashes, theft, and loss in transit. Velosurance also allows you to add additional coverage to your plan to include uninsured motorist coverage liability protection and medical bill coverage. Their e-bike insurance coverage covers all electric bicycles below 750 watts.

Master How Your Bike Rides

An electric bike is heavier than a conventional bike, which changes how you ride the bike. The bike will follow any trails and contours on the ground, so watch out for that. When you jump over something you will drop faster than you would if you were riding a conventional bike, so this is something else to keep in mind.

A heavier bike also means you have more traction. You will be able to ride in areas where you would have slid on a conventional bike. The additional traction also makes you feel like you can ride faster but avoid doing that, especially on a trail.

Watch Out for Strikes

Anything sticking out from the ground can cause pedal strikes on the downstroke. Because you will be riding the electric bike at a higher cadence, that increases the chances of a strike since there are more downstrokes. This means you have to be careful when picking your line and vigilant of where you ride. When negotiating tricky parts of a trail, you can opt to coast on the bike.

To avoid this issue, many electric mountain bikes have shorter crank arms. Shorter crankarms make an electric mountain bike feel weird, especially when you consider you will be riding at a higher cadence. You will feel like you are spinning the wheels faster than you are. The good news is that this feeling goes away once you ride the bike for some time.

Learn How to Anticipate Stopping

Electric bike
An electric bike is driven in the mountain environment

The battery and motor added to the bike make it faster and heavier. This means an electric bike does not stop like a conventional bike; you need more time to stop. This means you need to anticipate corners and anywhere else you need to reduce your speed. 

Electric bikes also come with pedal assist, which helps you carry momentum around corners, so lean more into the corner as you go through one. 

An electric bike can be an excellent option for those who want to ride on trails but do not want to expend too much energy. They can help you take on more challenging trails and make climbing steeper portions of these trails easier. Just remember to charge your bike and conserve as much power as possible, so you have it when you need it.

Because You Matter: These Are Your Rights as a Seaman

Thankfully, there are several statutes that provide protection to seafarers and maritime workers. As someone who works out at sea, you already know some of the dangers you face on a daily basis, and having protection is vital to ensure you’re looked after and aren’t taken advantage of in any sense of the word.

With this in mind, what are your rights as a seaman? The most common laws in the US fall under The Jones Act, a piece of regulation specifically designed to protect sailors, but what exactly is it, and what does it do? In today’s guide, we’re going to find out.

The Jones Act in the US

The Jones Act is a piece of legislation enacted by the United States

It was enacted into federal law in the 1920s to protect seafarers who were injured or murdered on the job or while serving on a vessel or fleet of vessels. Bear in mind this isn’t Worker’s Compensation. 

The Jones Act allows sailors to sue their employers for carelessness that caused their injuries, with a three-year statute of limitations from the date of injury.

You’re not sure if you’re a seaman under the Jones Act? You should consult a maritime accident attorney for the facts, but there are some criteria we’ll explore in the next section that you can look into that should give you a clear idea.

While the Jones Act isn’t too specific, any crew member who spends over 30% of their working time aboard a ship, or potentially a number of different ships, can be classed a seaman and therefore full under these rules and acts of protection.

Workers on crew boats, cruise ships, supply boats, drilling barges, workboats, derrick barges, dive boats, and drillships all fall under this category.

Work on a vessel (or fleet of vessels) in navigation; contribute to the vessel’s mission and purpose; and, be more or less permanently assigned to the vessel (or fleet of vessels) (or fleet of vessels).

If you’re not sure if you qualify as a Jones Act sailor, a marine lawyer can help.

What Are You Protected Against?

Military
A schematic view of the marine soldier

The Jones Act provides rights to sailors who are harmed on a vessel as a result of employer carelessness. As a member of a vessel’s crew, you have the right to work in a fairly safe environment. 

You have the right to collect damages if your employer, the vessel owner, or any other firm is liable for creating a dangerous environment that leads you to be hurt.

The Jones Act differs from Worker’s Compensation in that if you can prove blame, you can recover a much wider range of damages than you could under Workers Compensation, which does not need proof of negligence. 

Seamen covered by the Jones Act are entitled to past and future lost pay, medical care, pain and suffering, general damages, and maintenance and cure. Maintenance and cure, as a reminder, is an age-old seamen’s privilege under General Maritime Law, which compels an employer to give an injured seaman with essential medical care and lodging and board in the case of an injury or illness while in service to a vessel, regardless of fault.

Summary

If you’ve been injured or taken advantage of at work as a seaman, you’re not sure what your rights are, or you’ve found yourself in a strange situation and you’re not sure how to move forward, hopefully, this article helped, but if you’re not sure, then be sure to seek legal advice that can tell you exactly where you stand. 

The Ugly Truth About Plastic

Plastic is an integral material in our everyday lives, but unfortunately,  it has extremely destructive capabilities to the environment. Plastic pollution refers to the build-up of plastics in the environment, it is a huge environmental issue that has adverse effects on the planet. The issue is worsened by our actions, with some of us not fully comprehending the negative effects. Therefore, it is important that we fully understand the damaging effects plastic pollution is having on our environment and capably tackle the issues at hand. This article will discuss the dangerous effects plastic pollution is having on the Earth’s environment, and outline tips on how to aid in its prevention.

One of the main factors contributing to plastic pollution is the rapidly increasing production of disposable plastics. According to Oceans Plastic Free, plastic production requires an enormous amount of energy and resources. This process causes carbon emissions and contributes to global warming. Furthermore, recycling plastic is extremely inefficient- only 9% of plastic ever produced has been recycled. Two-thirds of unrecycled and incorrectly disposed plastics come from land-based sources, which eventually find their way into our oceans. 

A large number of plastics in our oceans creates detrimental effects on our marine life. Plastic takes up to 500 years to fully break down and eventually fragments into smaller and smaller plastics called microplastics. There are 51 trillion microscopic pieces of plastic in the planet’s environment, this equates to roughly 500 times the number of stars in our galaxy. These microplastics are extremely harmful to our marine life, with a lot of marine creatures becoming trapped or confusing them for food; causing blockages and pain in the stomach and intestines. One in three fish caught for human consumption contains plastic- directly affecting humans. Are we eating plastic? And if so, how harmful is it to humans? In seawater, plastic absorbs crucial chemicals that have been linked to endocrine disruption and certain cancers. Regardless of whether we eat fish or not, 70% of the oxygen we breathe is produced by marine plants-which is more the reason for us to protect our marine life. For more information, take this quick quiz regarding plastic pollution:

It is clear that plastic pollution is extremely damaging to the environment, but it is impossible to remove all plastic pollution from our oceans. Only 1% of marine litter floats, with the vast majority of it sinking to the seafloor. It is also impossible to remove all microplastics from our oceans due to their microscopic nature. However, there are various ways in which we can help. For example:

  • Refuse plastic whenever you can- try not to use plastic straws, plastic bags, etc. Use a reusable straw, or carry a reusable coffee cup to prevent waste.
  • Recycle- make sure you recycle any plastics and split up your waste into different bins.
  • Try to buy things that aren’t in plastic packaging- for example, a lot of items are unnecessarily wrapped in plastic. Try to avoid buying these items where you can.
  • Buy products in bulk- this will prevent excess plastic waste.
  • Stop buying water- plastic bottles contribute to a large amount of plastic waste, stop throwing away plastic bottles, and switch to reusable water bottles to reduce waste.
Recycling
A well-known recycling sign

It is clear that plastic pollution has extremely damaging effects on the environment, but becoming eco-friendlier can be a massive help. As a community, we can collectively make a significant difference and continue to make improvements in this increasingly worrying situation. The future of the planet rests on our shoulders, and the smallest of changes to everyday life can make the world of a difference.