CHICAGO (TNS) — For those on the right side of the political aisle, 2024 was a mixed bag. On the one hand, we had to trudge through the final year of Joe Biden’s disastrous presidency while fighting tooth and nail to prevent the administration from inflicting further economic carnage. On the other hand, we also were given an enormous gift at the beginning of November with the victory of Donald Trump. Now, without further ado, I present the top five moments of 2024. First, it goes without saying that the election on Nov. 5 was, by far, the best moment of 2024. At the start of 2024, things did not look good for Trump as he faced a litany of felony charges across multiple jurisdictions. However, despite the legal onslaught, Trump refused to back down. Aside from his legal problems, Trump faced several opponents as he fought for the GOP presidential nomination. Let’s not forget that in the spring, most political pundits and talking heads thought Trump could not win the Republican nomination for president. Yet, Trump emerged victorious and united the GOP under the Make America Great Again banner. Then, Trump pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in political history as he cruised to victory and helped the Republican Party gain control of both houses of Congress. This election will go down in history as a turning point, considering the vast inroads Trump made among voters who traditionally voted for Democrats. In second place among the best moments of 2024 comes Biden’s devastating debate performance. Although the polls were tight heading into the debate between Trump and Biden, the absolutely pitiful performance by Biden completely changed the state of the race. Soon after Biden flopped in front of millions of Americans, the Democratic Party pulled the plug on his re-election effort. Of course, this short-sighted move benefited Trump greatly as it demonstrated that the sitting president was senile. Even more important, it led to the rise of Vice President Kamala Harris to the top of the Democratic ticket. Considering that Harris can barely speak coherently without flip-flopping on basically every central policy position, it really was a blessing in disguise that she inherited Biden’s place and was eventually destroyed by Trump. In third place, and this could have easily been first or second, comes Trump’s survival of two assassination attempts. In midsummer, Trump was crisscrossing the country, holding outdoor rallies. Unfortunately, Trump’s proclivity to engage with his supporters nearly cost him his life. However, despite two would-be assassins somehow evading Secret Service detection, and one got several shots off, Trump was largely unharmed. While this was a blessing, we also must never forget that one person, Corey Comperatore, died at the Butler, Pa., rally and two others were wounded. In a slightly different direction, for the fourth-best moment of 2024, I suggest the incredible technological feat achieved by SpaceX. On Oct. 14, SpaceX launched its Super Heavy Starship, the most powerful rocket in the world. Then, in an unprecedented engineering marvel, the 23-story tall Super Heavy booster returned to the launch pad in an upright position and was “caught” without a hitch. It was like something straight out of a science-fiction movie, and it clearly demonstrated that the age of space exploration has entered a new chapter. Rounding out the best moments of 2024, in fifth place, let’s return to the political arena and the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency. DOGE is an early Christmas present for anyone leaning to the right side of the political aisle. For decades, conservatives and libertarians have been warning that the size and scope of the federal government is totally unsustainable and that big government is bad news for personal liberty. Finally, some significant spending cuts and institutional reforms are in the offing. With the national debt exceeding $36 trillion and trillion-dollar deficits the new normal, we need to downsize the federal bureaucracy and get back on sound fiscal footing before it is too late. (Chris Talgo is the editorial director at The Heartland Institute.)
November 25, 2024 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlightedthe following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked trusted source proofread by Kaunas University of Technology Deforestation has remained a significant issue globally, with primary forests contributing to 16% of the total tree cover loss in the last two decades, driven by climate change and intensive human activity. This threatens natural resources, biodiversity, and people's quality of life. To protect forests, Lithuanian scientists, in collaboration with Swedish experts, have developed Forest 4.0, an intelligent forest data processing model integrating blockchain, Internet of Things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies. The system enables real-time monitoring of forest conditions , sustainable resource accounting, and a more transparent forest governance model. "Imagine buying a table and knowing exactly from which forest and tree it originated. This is exactly the outcome of the proposed forest data management model," says Rytis Maskeliūnas, a professor at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) who helped develop the system. Researchers from Kaunas University of Technology, Vytautas Magnus University in Lithuania, and Linnaeus University in Sweden collaborated on its creation. The article "Digital transformation of the future of forestry: an exploration of key concepts in the principles behind Forest 4.0" is published in Frontiers in Forests . Smart sensors can detect tree disease and illegal logging This system consists of multiple layers, with the first focusing on data acquisition and management. This layer is responsible for gathering information from wireless sensor networks , which include various IoT devices that measure factors such as tree sap, temperature, and soil moisture, all connected by data transmission . "This way, nobody has to go into the forest and take measurements manually," adds a KTU professor. The Forest 4.0 system features an IoT solution with sensors resembling birdhouses, which are installed in trees. "These devices send data to a central system, where it is analyzed using AI algorithms within the data analysis layer," says KTU Center of Real-Time Computer Systems professor Egidijus Kazanavičius, who developed the hardware. The analysis findings are further used in the monitoring and evaluation layer to examine forest health, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and ecosystem services. "This information is also essential for the next phase of the system—forest management," explains Maskeliūnas. In practical applications, the researcher explains that by gathering data on environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and air quality from these sensors, the IoT system can assess forest health, monitor fire risks, and offer protection against diseases, pests, or illegal activities. A smart monitoring system is not just sensors, according to Maskeliūnas, cameras already installed in the forest can also be used. "By analyzing camera images and looking at, for example, browning needles, the IoT can detect the impact of insects on trees, identify disease through spots on leaves, and by encrypting sounds, it can indicate illegal logging," he says. It can also be adapted to predict changes in forest ecosystems and the spread of invasive species. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matter— daily or weekly . The goal—healthy, lush forest full of animals With the aim of revolutionizing forest management, the system uses new technologies to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and profitability of forest businesses, optimize resource use, reduce waste, and facilitate decision-making. In addition, the Forest 4.0 model provides supply chain traceability management, allowing processes to be monitored at all stages, from the forest to the sawmill or even the final wood product. Blockchain, a decentralized digital ledger technology that ensures transparency and data integrity, is the foundation of this functionality. "The technology works without authority and provides a transparent, secure, and unchangeable record of everything that happens to the forest and its production, reducing illegal logging and ensuring sustainable practices," adds the professor of KTU Faculty of Informatics (IF). Despite these benefits, researchers are also facing some challenges in implementing Forest 4.0. These include high initial investment and an inert approach to innovation. "It is assumed that it is better to opt for expensive and complex solutions, while smaller and cheaper sensors are given less attention. We should be glad that a solution costing a few hundred euros is able to collect and send data by itself," says Prof. Maskeliūnas. Also, the use of decentralized blockchain technology requires a high level of trust from the users; however, the successful development of financial technology (Fintech) is helping to overcome these fears. However, in other countries, such as Germany, such solutions have already gained more acceptance. This shows that Forest 4.0 has the potential to become a global standard and that Lithuania can serve as a role model for other countries in promoting responsible and sustainable forest management. Speaking about the Forest 4.0 concept itself, Maskeliūnas says that smart forest management is about caring for the future of nature: "It is like the fourth industrial revolution in forestry, with the goal of a non-flammable, lush forest full of animals." More information: Robertas Damaševičius et al, Digital transformation of the future of forestry: an exploration of key concepts in the principles behind Forest 4.0, Frontiers in Forests and Global Change (2024). DOI: 10.3389/ffgc.2024.1424327 Provided by Kaunas University of Technology
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