text:
Europe has contributed to the changes in the Arctic, the report states, but the European Union and its Member States can also play a positive role in several policy areas, including:
The economic downturn and fluctuations in world commodity prices have led to a slowdown in investments in the Arctic, providing more time to build a better understanding of the complexity of the region's ecosystem and also to develop cleaner technologies and put in place safety standards for long-term protection and prudent stewardship. The report stresses that this window of opportunity should be taken advantage of and that it is insufficient to merely focus efforts on documenting changes in the Arctic.
The new report — launched at 'A sustainable Arctic: Innovative approaches', a high-level event co-hosted by the European Commission, the European External Action Service and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland — is built on a large number of Arctic assessments, studies and indicators available to the EEA through the European Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) and our Arctic member countries, partners and networks.]]>
EU indicator past trend
Selected objective to be met by 2020
Indicative outlook
of the EU meeting
the selected
objective by 2020
Status of marine fish stocks
Ensure healthy fish stocks — Common Fisheries
Policy and Marine Strategy Framework Directive
For further information on the scoreboard methodology please see Box I.1 in the EEA Environmental indicator report 2016
The 7th EAP stipulates that the EU shall ensure that by 2020 the impact of pressures on all marine waters is reduced to achieve or maintain GES, as required by the MSFD (EU, 2013a). Fishing is one of the main pressures affecting the marine environment, in particular the state of commercial fish species. Ensuring healthy fish populations is essential for well-functioning ecosystems, but also to sustain fishing as a source of healthy food in the long term.
Safeguarding healthy commercial fish populations is one of the 11 descriptors of the MSFD (EU, 2008) for achieving GES. This objective is closely related to the objectives of the new Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) (EU, 2013b), in particular the objective of ensuring the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for all stocks by 2015 where possible, and at the latest by 2020.
Currently, around 58 % of the assessed fish stocks in Europe's seas are not in GES, whereas only 12 % of fish stocks are in GES when assessing both the level of fishing mortality and reproductive capacity (EEA, 2015a). In addition, there are strong regional differences, as shown in Figure 1. The status of fish stocks is especially critical in the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
This figure shows the proportion of assessed stocks per regional sea that are in good environmental status (GES). The numbers on the charts indicate the number of fish stocks. Status refers to fishing mortality (F) and reproductive capacity (SSB) criteria, as defined by the Commission Decision 2010/477/EU, which sets criteria and methodological standards on GES of marine waters. The GES criterion on healthy age- and size-distribution cannot be assessed at present. Stocks in the Northeast Atlantic and Baltic waters were assessed based on advice from the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) for 2013. Stocks in the Mediterranean and Black seas, and widely distributed stocks, were most recently assessed by the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) respectively, which varied between 2008 and 2012.
Source: Black Sea stock assessment, Mediterranean stock assessments, North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic sea stock assessments Provided by Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF)
Moreover, a lack of information on the status of stocks was observed for a large (40 %) proportion of fish stocks (EEA, 2015a). Figure 2 shows that there are also strong regional differences in terms of availability of information. An assessment of status is not possible for 68 % of the total landings from the Mediterranean and Black Seas, compared with 35 % of those from the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea (EEA, 2015b).
This figure shows the proportion of commercial fish landings per regional sea with GES assessment information, as defined by Commission Decision 2010/477/EU, which sets criteria and methodological standards on the GES of marine waters. GES assessment information relates to fishing mortality (F) and reproductive capacity (SSB) criteria, since the criterion on healthy age- and size-distribution cannot be assessed at present. Landings data for all fish stocks are from 2010, given the availability of data for the Mediterranean and Black Seas.
Source: Black Sea stock assessment, Mediterranean stock assessments, North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic sea stock assessments Provided by Scientific, Technical and Economic Committee for Fisheries (STECF).
It is clear that the overall use of fish stocks in Europe currently remains beyond the limit for long-term environmental sustainability. Historical trends in fish landings show that total landings in Europe's seas reached a peak in the mid-1970s, but have been mostly declining ever since (Pastoors and Poulsen, 2008; Gascuel et al., 2014). The observed consistent decrease in landings suggests that the overall levels of exploitation remain too high for ensuringhealthy populations of commercial fish.
Important signs of improvement are being observed in the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. Since the early 2000s, better management of fish stocks has contributed to a clear decrease in fishing pressure in these two regional seas (EEA, 2015b; EC, 2015). Between 2002 and 2015, the number of stocks exploited at sustainable levels (i.e. fishing at or below MSY) increased from 2 to 26 (EC, 2015). Signs of recovery in the reproductive capacity of several fish stocks have started to appear (EEA, 2015a). If these efforts continue, meeting the 2020 objective for healthy fish stocks in the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea could be possible. In contrast, there is little likelihood that the 2020 policy objective will be met in the Mediterranean and Black Seas (EC, 2015). Given this, despite the EU's commitment to ensuring better governance for sustainable fisheries in the Mediterranean region, the 2020 objective of healthy commercial fish populations is unlikely to be met for all marine waters and further collective action is required.
Fishing management measures, when effectively implemented, can have a positive effect on the state of fish stocks, as can be seen in the North-East Atlantic Ocean and Baltic Sea. However, ensuring healthy fish populations does not depend solely on fishing at environmentally sustainable levels, although it is a necessary condition. Healthy fish populations depend on healthy marine ecosystems but, today, our use of Europe's seas and their natural capital is not sustainable (EEA, 2015b). Europe's marine ecosystems continue to display symptoms of degradation and loss of resilience, which will be exacerbated by the effects of climate change. These systemic changes are still complex and to a large extent poorly understood, but they are closely linked to the loss of biodiversity. Without an integrated approach to the management and protection of Europe's seas — which would make ecosystem-based management a reality, as required by both the MSFD and the CFP — the outlook beyond 2020 for productive seas and healthy fish populations calls for concern.
The indicator assesses the status of fish stocks in Europe's regional seas, which represent the populations of commercial fish and shellfish species, in relation to their GES. The indicator also provides an overview of the availability of information to provide a GES analysis. The indicator follows the GES methodological standards as currently defined by Commission Decision 2010/477/EU (EC, 2010). It measures GES by assessing two criteria — the level of fishing mortality (i.e. fishing pressure) and the reproductive capacity of fish stocks (i.e. spawning stock biomass) — against their sustainable reference levels (i.e. MSY or a proxy). The third GES criterion on healthy age and size distribution cannot be assessed at present. The indicator reflects the current level of implementation of the MSFD and data availability for an assessment at the EU level.]]>
North East Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea
[1] As reported by Member States under the MSFD Initial Assessment. ETC ICM 2013 (unpublished). ETC/ICM MSFD Initial Assessment Summary report
[2] Airoldi, L. and Beck, M.W. (2007), 'Loss, status and trends for coastal marine habitats of Europe',Oceanography and Marine Biology, An Annual Review, (45).
[3] Duarte, C. M., Nixon, S., Fulweiler, R.W., Dennison, W. B., Valiela, I., Hughes, T. and Bordalba, N.M. (2009), Global loss of coastal habitats: Rates, causes and consequences, Fundación BBVA, Bilbao.
[4] OSPAR (2008), Case Reports for the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats, The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, London, accessed 08 June 2014.
[5] Ærtebjerg, G., Andersen, J.H. and Hansen, O.S. (Eds) (2003), Nutrients and Eutrophication in Danish Marine Waters — a Challenge for Science and Management, National Environmental Research Institute, Copenhagen.
[6] Hansen, J.W. (red.) (2012), Marine områder 2011, DCE – Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi, Aarhus Universitet, Roskilde, accessed 16 June 2014.
[7] ICES (2014), Report of the Workshop to draft recommendations for the assessment of Descriptor D3 (WKD3R), International Council for the Exploration of the Sea, Copenhagen.
[8] Finenko, G. A. (2003), 'Population dynamics, ingestion, growth and reproduction rates of the invader Beroe ovata and its impact on plankton community in Sevastopol Bay, the Black Sea',Journal of Plankton Research, 25(5) 539–549.
[9] Shiganova, T., Mirzoyan, Z., Studenikina, E., Volovik, S., Siokou-Frangou, I., Zervoudaki, S., Christou, E., Skirta, A. and Dumont, H. (2001), 'Population development of the invader ctenophore Mnemiopsis leidyi , in the Black Sea and in other seas of the Mediterranean basin',Marine Biology, 139(3) 431–445.
[10] Hansen, J.W. (red.) (2012), Marine områder 2011, DCE – Nationalt Center for Miljø og Energi, Aarhus Universitet, Roskilde, accessed 16 June 2014.
[11] OSPAR (2008), Case Reports for the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats, The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, London, accessed 08 June 2014.
[12] OSPAR (2008), Case Reports for the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats, The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, London, accessed 08 June 2014.
[13] Ferretti, F., Myers, R. A., Serana, F. and Lotze, H. K. (2008), Loss of Large Predatory Sharks from the Mediterranean Sea,Conservation Biology, (22) 952–964.
[14] Morey, G., Serena, F., Mancusi, C., Fowler, S.L., Dipper, F. and Ellis, J. (2006), Squatina squatina, in: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 08 June 2014.
[15] Gesner, J., Williot, P., Rochard, E., Freyhof, J. & Kottelat, M., 2010, Acipenser sturio, in: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 08 June 2014.
[16] OSPAR (2008), Case Reports for the OSPAR List of Threatened and/or Declining Species and Habitats, The Convention for the Protection of the marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, London, accessed 24 June 2014 .
[17] Seminoff, J.A. (2004), Chelonia mydas, in: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and 2004 GLOBAL STATUS ASSESSMENT, accessed 08 June 2014.
[18] BirdLife International (2012), Pinguinus impennis, in: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 08 June 2014.
[19] JNCC (2013), Seabird Population Trends and Causes of Change: 1986-2012 Report, Joint Nature Conservation Committee, Peterborough, accessed 08 June 2014.
[20] BirdLife International (2012), Haematopus meadewaldoi, in: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 08 June 2014.
[21] Temple, H.J. and Terry, A. (Compilers) (2007), The Status and Distribution of European Mammals, Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg.
[22] Aguilar, A. and Lowry, L. (2013), Monachus monachus, in: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, accessed 08 June 2014.
[23] HELCOM (2013), HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea species in danger of becoming extinct,Baltic Sea Environmental Proceedings No. 140, Helsinki Commission, Helsinki.
[24] Möllmann, C., Casini, M., Daskalov, G. M. and De Young, B. (2011), Regime shifts in marine ecosystems: How overfishing can provoke sudden ecosystem changes, Report for the European Parliament's Committee on Fisheries, Brussels.
[25] Conversi, A., Fonda Umani, S., Peluso, T., Molinero, J. C., Santojanni, A. and Edwards, M. (2010), 'The Mediterranean Sea Regime Shift at the End of the 1980s, and Intriguing Parallelisms with Other European Basins 'Humphries, S. (ed)', PLoS ONE,5(5) 10633.]]>
To help understand this issue, the EEA is launching Marine Litter Watch, which uses modern technology to help tackle the problem of marine litter. Organised groups and members of the public can use the app to upload data on the litter they find on their beach. This data will be used to better understand the problem, and will hopefully help support a policy response as formulated in the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The app is currently available for Android devices and will soon be published for iPhone and iPad.
The Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) requires the European Union Member States to monitor all the elements of the marine ecosystem and of the human pressures being exerted on it. As marine litter has not been monitored previously, Member States now need to establish wide-ranging monitoring programmes. These might cover marine litter floating on and below the sea surface, as well as litter that has accumulated on the sea floor and washed ashore, and even the litter ingested by marine wildlife.
To support Member States in monitoring MSFD monitoring guidelines were developed by the Technical Group on Marine Litter, a group of experts established to support the MSFD implementation. The adoption of these guidelines should allow to determine trends in the amount of litter and its composition.
The data and information from MSFD monitoring programmes will allow for a better understanding of the sources of litter and its impacts. These programmes are critical for implementing appropriate management measures and track progress of their effectiveness on ensuring healthy marine ecosystems. Given the extent of Europe's Seas and related sustainability challenges, Member States will need to develop innovative and cost-efficient methods to carry them out. Voluntary monitoring of marine litter found on beaches offers an opportunity to support these activities, building on the communities already engaged in coastal stewardship across Europe.
Many citizens across Europe are already taking part in activities monitoring marine litter on beaches. With its app, Marine LitterWatch (MLW) aims to support the MSFD implementation by engaging with existing communities to deliver data fit for policy-support purposes.
For the community-based monitoring to support (and complement) official monitoring by responsible bodies, the data has to be collected following the MSFD monitoring guidelines. This will ensure that it is quality assured and can be used for comparable and reliable assessments over time.
Citizens already play an important role in supporting environmental assessments and implementing European policies, especially through citizen science activities. Recent EEA assessments on the state of grassland butterflies and on the state of bat populationsin Europe are examples of the importance of the role of citizen engagement in providing policy-relevant data. Several Member States (such as France, Spain and the United Kingdom) already count on citizens to monitor beach litter. MLW aims to encourage and facilitate citizen uptake of such activities and support addressing the issue of marine litter.
The MLW app allows users to monitor, identify and report marine litter items found on beaches using the MSFD's standard list. Communities should make their volunteers aware of quality assurance and quality control issues to ensure that litter collection and classification follow the monitoring protocol and MSFD guidelines. This will also ensure consistency across the submitted surveys. Investment in communication and the training of the national, regional and local survey coordinators and managers is therefore critical. Communities are encouraged to contact their national bodies responsible for monitoring marine litter when designing their monitoring strategies.
To set-up a monitoring event, communities should use the web interface available for this purpose and to manage the community data. Find out if your community is already part of the MLW network by checking the community list. For further assistance please refer to the MLW guidelines or send us an email. You can also visit the EEA Forum to check frequently asked questions about Marine LitterWatch or post your questions.
The MSFD monitoring guidelines describe a harmonised protocol for monitoring beach litter. This allows for comparability of the data collected by Member States within the European regional seas and in the EU as a whole.
However, the guidelines are not step-by-step instructions. They provide Member States with recommendations and information needed to start the monitoring of marine litter. Member States then need to define national monitoring strategies, according to their initial assessments and targets reported under the MSFD for reaching ´Good Environmental Status' of the marine environment by 2020.
MSFD harmonized protocol on beach litter monitoring
The main elements of a strategy for monitoring beach litter are: selection of survey sites; number of sites; frequency and timing of surveys; documentation and characterization of sites; sampling unit; units (quantification) of litter; collection and identification of litter items; size limits and classes of items to be surveyed; removal and disposal of litter.
The type of survey selected depends on the objectives of the assessment and on the magnitude of the pollution on the coastline. A single survey method is recommended in the MSFD guidelines with different spatial parameters for light to moderately polluted coastline and for heavily polluted coastlines.
Source: MSFD Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter, 2013, Guidance on Monitoring of Marine Litter in European Seas, JRC scientific and policy reports, p. 38-46
The guidelines also recognise that investment must be made in the capacity-building of national, regional and local survey coordination and management both for official monitoring and community-based monitoring. This will allow for alignment of existing methodologies with the MSFD standardised protocol. This is an opportunity for communities engaged with beach surveys to make their data collection activities relevant to official MSFD monitoring.
Although MLW does not address capacity building, it aims to facilitate dialogue and cooperation between authorities and communities. The EEA will also work initially with some of the main communities in the European Union to support this interaction and cooperation.
Marine litter is building up in the oceans and coasts around the world, including those in Europe. This problem is recognised primarily as a result of unsustainable production and consumption patterns, poor waste management and the lack of public awareness. At present, European Union Member States are implementing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, a piece of EU legislation that requires them to monitor and define measures to address the challenges of Europe´s seas. Marine litter is identified as one of these challenges. Citizens have an important role in the tackling of marine litter, especially in terms of awareness about the problem and changing behaviour around it.
The EEA developed Marine LitterWatch (MLW) to support existing and emerging communities that want to engage their citizens in clean-up initiatives and wish to raise awareness about the issue. Communities can include NGOs, civil society associations, schools or any initiative bringing together volunteers.
MLW can help existing and emerging communities to organise clean-up events and to coordinate their volunteers. Volunteers can use the MLW app to make surveys and register litter items they find on a beach, at the same time as they are removing these. The app provides a 'top 20' list of litter items found in Europe.
The data generated through clean-ups will provide an overview of the number of clean-up activities happening across Europe, as well as the amount and type of litter items found. This will help provide for the first time an overview of citizen engagement in clean-up activities in Europe. With time, MLW aims to use these data to support assessments on the state of European coasts and seas, including those prepared by the EEA.
To set-up a clean-up event with the app, please refer to the MLW guidelines. A web interface for communities and clean-up coordinators is also available for this purpose. Further assistance on how to set up clean-up events can also be obtained from our experienced communities:
Find out if your community is already part of the MLW network by checking the community list. If it is not and you would like it to be, just send us an email and help us improve our knowledge about marine litter in Europe. You can also visit the EEA Forum to check frequently asked questions about Marine LitterWatch or post your questions.
MLW will also support the European Clean-up day on the 10 May 2014. This event is part of the European Week for Waste Reduction, which aims to reduce litter in nature and to give visibility to the issue. At the marine HOPE conference, the EU Commissioner Potočnik called for leading by example in practical ways when it comes to combatting marine litter. The Clean-up Day is one of the concrete activities following this call.
MLW is available to support communities participating in the European Clean-up day and collect data on this European wide initiative to raise awareness about the problem of litter in Europe. We will publish the results online soon afterwards.
You may use #EEAMLW to follow Marine LitterWatch activities on social media, and for the EU Clean-up day in particular.
Marine LitterWatch (MLW) has been developed to target communities interested in marine litter activities. Communities are organised volunteer groups of citizens, such as NGOs, civil society associations and other kinds of informal groups. Although citizens can also join MLW independently, the full potential of citizen engagement can be best harnessed by more and more citizens joining existing communities, or creating a new community.
Find out if your community is already part of the MLW users' network by checking the community list. If it is not and you would like it to be, just send us an email and help us improve our knowledge about marine litter in Europe.
Communities can organise two different types of events through the MLW app: monitoring events or clean-up events.
In order to use the data to support official monitoring purposes, monitoring events have to follow the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) monitoring protocol for beach litter. Monitoring events need to happen on a regular basis and take place at the same location on the beach. As such, they require a community structure and set-up that will ensure proper quality assurance of the data.
Clean-up events may be ad hoc or periodic. They are easy to organise and aim to raise awareness about marine litter. The data generated through clean-ups will also support assessments on the state of European coasts and seas, including those prepared by the EEA.
More information on how to set up events can be found in the MLW under monitoring or clean-up events.
The app allows for the creation of surveys on litter items found on the beach. It uses the Marine Strategy Framework Directive list of marine litter items that has been harmonised across Europe. These are items currently found on Europe's beaches, for example, plastic items, cigarette butts, bottles, fishing materials, etc. More information on how to use the app can be found in the MLW guidelines.
The data collected from both monitoring events and clean-up events is stored in a public database hosted by the EEA. Data from monitoring events (which will be made available to support official monitoring purposes) are quality assured by the responsible community members prior to their publication online.
All MLW data will be made accessible online and free of charge for national authorities, research communities and citizens alike. Communities can retrieve their data through a web interface and use it in other databases and / or elaborate it further into a wide range of products such as survey reports and maps. EEA data policy is available here.
Coastal regions generate around 40 % of EU GDP. Europe is a major player in many intensive maritime industries, including shipping and ports, fisheries, energy and coastal tourism. However, this has come at a cost - habitat destruction, overfishing, pollution, coastal erosion, and infrastructure development have damaged coastal ecosystems.
Moreover, climate change is likely to make these regions – and the societies in them – more vulnerable, the report says. Seas and coasts are currently considered to be drivers for the European economy with great potential for innovation and growth.
Approximately 40 % of the EU population lives within 50 km of the sea, and this is growing – in some parts of the Mediterranean coast in Spain and France, the population has increased by up to 50 % between 2001 and 2011. Growing demand for living space and other needs means that impervious areas such as concrete increased by 5 % between 2006 and 2009, the report says, further breaking up coastal habitats. This expansion was fastest in coastal areas in Cyprus, Norway, Malta and Spain, where areas with sealed soils increased by more than 10 %.
Hans Bruyninckx, EEA Executive Director, said: "Europe's coastline is vital for its economy. But in many areas, its resources are at risk because short-term gains have been prioritised over longer-term sustainable management. For example, some endangered coastal habitats act as natural protection from storm surges. One thing that can help safeguard these habitats is better data and knowledge, particularly as there is a pressing need to adapt to the effects of climate change."
If coastal regions are to continue to power European economies, provide ecosystems services, and remain home to millions of people, they must be managed more cohesively, the report says. This management must also be based on integrated policy, aiming to balance competing interests of human development, while ensuring healthy and resilient coastal ecosystems that much of this development relies on.
The European Commission has recently proposed a framework for integrated coastal management and for 'maritime spatial planning', to better manage competing claims and resources at sea. Within this framework, plans and strategies will require high quality data to measure the health of the coastal environment.
The lack of quality‑assured spatial data hinders effective management, so EU Member States need to make more effort to harmonise their data and make it consistent with the data reported by other countries, the report says. When coastal data is shared across borders and enhanced by coordinated indicator sets, it can give a larger and more refined picture of the wider ecosystem issues, making it easier to implement an ecosystem‑based management approach.]]>
One way that the EU has achieved this improvement is by setting legally binding and non-binding limits for the whole Union for certain pollutants dispersed in the air. The EU has set standards for particulate matter (PM) of certain sizes, ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, lead, and other pollutants that may have a detrimental effect on human health or ecosystems. Key pieces of legislation that set pollutant limits across Europe include the 2008 Directive on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (2008/50/EC), and the 1996 Framework Directive on ambient air quality assessment and management (96/62/EC).
Another approach to legislating for improvements to air quality is through the setting of national annual emission limits for specific pollutants. In these cases, countries are responsible for introducing the measures needed to ensure that their emission levels are below the ceiling set for the relevant pollutant.
The Gothenburg Protocol to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe's Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP), and the EU National Emission Ceilings Directive (2001/81/EC) both set annual emissions limits for European countries on air pollutants, including those pollutants responsible for acidification, eutrophication, and ground-level ozone pollution. The Gothenburg Protocol was revised in 2012. And the National Emissions Ceilings Directive is up for review and revision in 2013.
In addition to setting air quality standards for specific pollutants and annual country-level ceilings, European legislation is also designed to target particular sectors that act as sources of air pollution.
Emissions of air pollutants from the industrial sector are regulated, by among others, the 2010 Industrial Emissions Directive (2010/75/EU) and the 2001 Directive on the limitation of emissions of certain pollutants into the air from Large Combustion Plants (2001/80/EC).
Vehicle emissions have been regulated through a series of performance and fuel standards, including the 1998 Directive relating to the quality of petrol and diesel fuels (98/70/EC) and vehicle emission standards, known as the Euro standards.
The Euro 5 and 6 standards cover emissions from light vehicles including passenger cars, vans, and commercial vehicles. The Euro 5 standard came into force on 1 January 2011, and requires all new cars covered by the legislation to emit less particulates and nitrogen oxides than the limits set. Euro 6, which will enter into force in 2015, will impose stricter limits on nitrogen oxides emitted by diesel engines.
There are also international agreements concerning the emissions of air pollutants in other areas of transportation, such as the International Maritime Organization's 1973 Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), with its additional protocols, which regulate sulphur dioxide emissions from shipping.
(c) Javier Arcenillas, ImaginAIR/EEA
"Although fortunately there are still places in Romania almost wild and spectacular, where nature is unstained by the hand of man, in more urbanized areas there is an obvious ecological problem."
Javier Arcenillas, Spain
A pollutant is usually regulated by more than one piece of legislation. Particulate matter, for example, is directly addressed by three European legal measures (Directives on ambient air quality and emissions of air pollutants, and the Euro limits on road vehicle emissions) and two international conventions (LRTAP and MARPOL). Some of the PM precursors are tackled by other legal measures.
The implementation of these laws are also spread over a period of time and achieved in stages. For fine particles, the air quality directive sets 25 μg/m3 as a 'target value' to be met by 1 January 2010. The same threshold is set to become a 'limit value' by 2015, entailing additional obligations.
For some sectors, air policies might first cover certain pollutants in limited parts of Europe. In September 2012, the European Parliament adopted the revisions that brought the EU's standards on sulphur emissions by ships in line with the International Maritime Organization's standards from 2008. By 2020, the sulphur limit will be 0.5 % in all the seas around the EU.
For the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the English Channel in so-called 'Sulphur Emission Control Areas', the European Parliament set an even stricter sulphur limit of 0.1 % by 2015. Considering that standard marine fuel contains 2 700 times more sulphur than conventional diesel for cars, it is clear that this legislation gives strong reasons to the shipping sector to develop and use cleaner fuels.
Current European air-quality legislation is based on the principle that EU Member States divide their territories into a number of management zones in which countries are required to assess air quality using measurement or modelling approaches. Most big cities are declared to be such zones. If air‑quality standards are exceeded in a zone, the Member State has to report to the European Commission and explain the reasons.
The countries are then required to develop local or regional plans describing how they intend to improve the air quality. They could for example establish so-called low-emission zones that restrict access for more polluting vehicles. Cities can also encourage a shift in transport to less polluting modes including walking, cycling, and public transport. They can also ensure that industrial and commercial combustion sources are fitted with emission‑control equipment, according to the latest, best-available technology.
Research is also critical. Not only does research offer us new technologies, it also improves our knowledge of air pollutants and their negative effects on our health and ecosystems. Integrating the latest knowledge into our laws and actions will help us to continue to improve Europe's air.
(c) Gülçin Karadeniz
Just a few kilometres along the coast in Behramkale, we meet Saim Erol. He is one of the few active fishermen left in this small fishing village founded on the site of famous Temple of Athena and with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Edremit. 'Yesterday I set more than 700 metres of nets. All I caught was four red mullets. Not even worth the diesel I used!' says Saim, who has been fishing in these waters for more than 20 years.
The fact that there are fewer fish to catch and more boats chasing them is a sore point. Looking at his six-metre boat and then at the larger vessel out in the sea, he adds, 'I knew everything about this coast, where to fish and when. But things have changed. What I knew seems no longer valid. The sea has changed.'
Over the past 20 years, as the area has turned into a tourist hot spot, most of the fishermen have given up and now earn their living taking tourists to remote beaches only accessible by boat. 'At least that gives them some money to put aside for the winter,' says Hasan Ali Özden, retired teacher and amateur fisherman. 'About five miles to the west, the fishermen in Sivrice are luckier. Once in a while they hit the migration path of swordfish. And that's good money. But it has been many years since a year of plenty.'
Fisheries are heavily dependent on healthy marine ecosystems but climate change is altering how things work. Professor Nuran Ünsal from Istanbul University points to alterations in migration patterns and their impacts on fish stocks. Migratory species with high economic value, such as Atlantic bonito, blue fish or mackerel, migrate south to the Mediterranean in the autumn and north to the Black Sea in the spring, where they breed. Year after year, however, steadily fewer fish have been migrating through the Turkish Straits.
'Changes in water temperatures and seasonal winds, crucial for the necessary currents, have disrupted their migration patterns,' says Professor Ünsal. 'Such species need a very specific setting with the right water temperature and amount of food, as well as enough time to breed.'
'Twenty years ago, they migrated south in September. With warmer water temperatures in the Black Sea now, they do not need to migrate south until mid-October or early November. This means they stay shorter in the Mediterranean and as a result they are fewer and smaller when they return north.'
Fish in warmer water are caught in a bind: as they adapt, their metabolism speeds up. They grow more quickly, although often to a smaller adult body size, and they need more food and more oxygen to support their higher metabolism. At the same time, as the water temperature increases, the amount of oxygen it contains decreases. Many fish experience what is called an 'oxygen squeeze': their need goes up and supply goes down.
Climate change is also altering the salinity and acidity of sea water and the way it forms layers. The impacts could be catastrophic. They include the collapse of coral reefs, the spread of invasive species and diseases, the loss of top predators and ultimately the whole structure of the marine food chain.
Invasive species
In the late-1980s, the anchovy stocks in the Black Sea collapsed due to a combination of factors. These included overfishing; nutrient enrichment (especially from the Danube river); warmer water temperatures due to climate change; and the invasion of a new species to the region, Mnemiopsis leidyi, a combjelly originally from the north‑western Atlantic.
Introduced in the Black Sea, most likely via ballast waters of cargo ships, Mnemiopsis leidyi feeds on fish larvae as well as organisms that would otherwise feed the anchovy. In the 1990s, another combjelly species Beroe ovata from north-western Atlantic and preying almost exclusively on Mnemiopsis leidyi, was also accidentally introduced in the Black Sea ecosystem. The introduction of this predator for Mnemiopsis leidyi, cooler temperatures from 1991 to 1993 and a decrease in nutrient flows, alongside reduced fishing during the collapse, lessened some of the pressures on the anchovy stocks. Since, the Black Sea ecosystem has shown some signs of recovery.
A similar ecosystem shift has also been observed in the Baltic Sea. Overfishing and climate change has altered the Baltic fish community from a cod-dominated one to one dominated by herring and sprat.
Whether introduced deliberately or accidentally, invasive alien species can cause havoc to people, ecosystems and native plant and animal species. The problem of invasive species is expected to worsen in the coming century due to climate change, increasing trade and tourism.
The Earth's oceans are an immense, 'blue' carbon sink (or store of carbon dioxide). In fact, they are the largest store of carbon on the planet, with the terrestrial counterpart, including forests, a distant second. These natural sinks have functioned effectively for millennia, buffering the planet from the abrupt climatic changes due to greenhouse gases. But today, the carbon dioxide is increasing in the atmosphere faster than the land and oceans can absorb it.
Enhanced uptake of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere has increased the average acidity of the ocean. By 2100 the ocean is likely to be more acidic than at any time during the last 20 million years. Acidification is driving a decline in the amount of carbonate ion, which is needed to make aragonite and calcite — two forms of calcium carbonate that many marine organisms use to build their shells and skeletal material.
In Europe, researchers have begun to observe changes in the shells and skeletons of the microscopic organisms that form the beginning of the marine food chain. The falling rate of calcification is likely to have an immediate negative effect on their ability to survive and on the wide number of species that feed on them.
Corals are particularly at risk because they use calcification to create their skeletons, which make up what we see as coral reefs. Coral reefs are also home to as many as two million marine species and the source of a quarter of the global fish catch in developing countries around the world. The consequences of acidification go well beyond direct effects on calcification by marine organisms. More acidic water can have a major impact on respiration in some non-calcifying species such as squid (11). While the full consequences of ocean acidification have not yet been fully determined, it has been estimated that up to seven per cent of these 'blue carbon sinks' are being lost annually — seven times the rate of loss of 50 years ago.
Just like forests on land, marine ecosystems have a crucial role to play in the fight against climate change. Losing either would be catastrophic but we still do not fully understand just how quickly life under the surface of the oceans is likely to change.
Overfishing is the main culprit for the lack of fish in our seas. In Europe the picture looks very bleak: almost nine out of ten commercial stocks in the north-east Atlantic, Baltic and Mediterranean Seas are overfished. About one-third of those are so heavily overfished that the stock risks losing its reproductive capacity.
In the last decade alone, total landings in the European Union have declined by one-third(12) and aquaculture in Europe has not been able to compensate. Global fish consumption per person has more than doubled since 1973, with Europeans consuming on average 21 kg of fishery products annually, slightly more than the global average of 17 kg, but below the USA, Chinese and Canadian consumption levels of around 25 kg. There is a wide variation within the EU, ranging from 4 kg per person in Romania to 57 kg in Portugal.
To meet Europe's demand for fish, about two-thirds of the fish are imported(13). Europeans therefore have an impact on fish stocks and aquaculture production all around the world. Today, consumers, processers and retailers are increasingly concerned about overfishing and often require guarantees that the fish they consume and sell originate from well-managed and sustainable fisheries. But such assurances are difficult to give for most fish stocks in European waters.
In Europe, current re-evaluation of the Common Fisheries Policy(14) is taking a fresh look at fisheries from a broader maritime and environmental perspective(15). There will be a far greater emphasis on the ecological sustainability of fisheries outside Europe and the need to manage and exploit natural resources responsibly without jeopardising their future. It will be important to see just how this new approach to securing Europe's fisheries will fit into the existing international regime and the proposed regular process for assessing the global marine environment.
Towards a global assessment of the marine environment
In 2002, the World Summit on Sustainable Development's Johannesburg Plan of Implementation contained specific targets for fisheries management, including restoring fish stocks to maximum sustainable yield by 2015. It also identified the need to establish a 'regular process' under the United Nations for global reporting and assessment of the state of the marine environment, including socio‑economic aspects, both current and foreseeable, and building on existing regional assessments.
This important step recognised the need for concerted international efforts to protect and manage the global commons sustainably. It marked the beginning of a concrete, action-oriented process to ensure that countries sign up for sustained, long-term and targeted efforts.
The United Nations General Assembly endorsed the proposal in 2005 (16) and in 2009 recognised the work of the Group of Experts on the scientific basis of the global assessment. As with all international processes, however, implementing the Regular Process for Global Reporting and Assessment will take some years (17).
11. see also "Our Endangered Oceans", Dr. Richard Moss, WWF
12. Eurostat, European Commission, Commission working document 'Reflections on further reform of the Common Fisheries Policy'
13. European Commission Statistics
14. The EU treaties establish fisheries management as one of the exclusive competences of the Community. This is because fish move across national jurisdictions and fishermen have followed them long before Exclusive Economic Zones were introduced and the Common Fisheries Policy born. In 2009, the CEC published a green paper outlining the changes needed to address some of the most critical problems facing European fisheries. Reform of the Common Fisheries Policy, Brussels, 22.4.2009. COM(2009)163 final
15. Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing the framework for Community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (OJ L 164, 25.6.2008)
16. Resolution 60/30 of the General Assembly on Oceans and the Law of the Sea
17. Resolution 61 of the General Assembly on Oceans and the Law of the Sea]]>


text:
Benefits Access for College Completion
September 10, 2012
College costs have skyrocketed, making it less and less accessible for many students. After accounting for financial aid, the average full-time community college student had more than $6,000 in unmet need in 2011-2012. Whether students can meet their financial needs often determines whether they can attend and complete college. While rising tuition costs get a lot of attention, there are many other costs students must pay - including living expenses and child care if they are parents - that often stand between them and their education. These expenses lead students to work or attend school part-time so they can make ends meet. Among young community college students, 66 percent work more than 20 hours per week to help pay for school and their home and family obligations, and 58 percent attend college part-time to accommodate work. Research shows that both of these factors negatively impact college completion.
What is Benefits Access for College Completion?
Benefits Access for College Completion (BACC) will test innovative approaches to increase the number of students earning postsecondary credentials in seven community and technical colleges across the country. BACC will help colleges develop and institutionalize scalable and sustainable organizational and funding policies and practices that connect low-income students to an array of public benefits, such as food assistance and health insurance. The initiative runs through 2014 and will be evaluated to see if low-income students who receive these resources can fill the gap between financial aid and the cost of attending college.
BACC is funded by the Ford Foundation, the Kresge Foundation, Lumina Foundation, and the Open Society Foundations. The Annie E. Casey Foundation is also contributing to the initiative. It is managed by CLASP and the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).
Participating colleges have created their own plans to integrate screening and application assistance for public benefits with the services and supports they already provide, like financial aid counseling and registration. The colleges are partnering with local and state human services agencies to better provide these integrated services.
Their strategies include:
- Developing new campus centers and expanding existing ones that focus on helping students get the financial resources they need to complete college;
- Identifying innovative financing strategies to fund people who serve as benefits screeners and facilitators on campus;
- Building information about publicly available supports into financial aid conversations and through existing meetings with college advisors;
- Partnering with state and county human services agencies to better serve students;
- Integrating existing online benefits screening tools into on-campus activities;
- Raising awareness among faculty, staff and students of the existence of these supports; and helping counselors and other direct service staff provide technical support to students.
Participating Institutions
The colleges participating in the implementation phase of the project are: Cuyahoga Community College (OH), Gateway Community and Technical College (KY), LaGuardia Community College (NY), Lake Michigan College and Macomb Community College (MI), Northampton Community College (PA), and Skyline College (CA).
Contact Us
For more information about BACC, please contact our CLASP project staff.
Amy Ellen Duke-Benfield
Project Director, CLASP
Tom Salyers
Press Contact, CLASP
Additional Resources
Read CLASP's report, Benefits Access for College Completion: Lessons Learned from a Community College Initiative to Help Low-Income Students >>>
Read commentary on BACC by Dr. Jim Jacobs, President of Macomb Community College and Dr. Regina Stroud, President of Skyline College >>>
Learn how the Affordable Care Act can help your community college students >>>
Read how three community colleges used innovative and successful strategies to implement their benefits access work through the use of student workers >>>
Final Evaluation Report: Public Benefits and Community Colleges: Lessons from the Benefits Access for College Completion Demonstration >>>
Login to BACC Group Site (Participating Institutions Only) >>>

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Hi everyone,
New to Backtrack but not to linux.
MCSE,CCNA,Security+, CEH and currently studying CCNP and CISSP
From South Africa where there is a distinct lack of good IT security personnel.
Hope to learn lots here (I need to) and thanks for the great forum and of course for Backtrack


text: Recognized as Hawaii's premier female vocalist during the 2000s, Raiatea Helm (born August 8, 1984) was first introduced to world audiences in 2003 thanks to her debut record, Far Away Heaven, released by Riptide Records. At only 19 years of age, Helm won the prestigious Female Vocalist of the Year and Most Promising Artist titles at the 2003 HARA (Hawaii Academy of Recording Artists) Awards. Accompanying herself on ukulele, Raiatea captured the attention of audiences throughout her native islands, interpreting traditional Hawaiian song with the mastery and control of a jazz vocalist. Raiatea's sophomore release, Sweet & Lovely, earned national attention and made Hawaiian history: in 2006 Helm became Hawaii's first-ever solo female vocalist to be nominated for a Grammy. The record took home both Female Vocalist of the Year and Favorite Entertainer of the Year honors at the HARA Awards. Helm then received invitations from venues throughout Asia, and also graced U.S. stages from New York to San Francisco. Jazz selections began to find their way into Helm's repertoire more consistently. From her rendition of jazz favorite "At Last" (Sweet & Lovely) to her collaboration with Grammy-winning saxophonist Matt Catingub on the 2006 recording of "My Romance," Helm began to establish herself outside world music circles as an accomplished jazz vocalist. Her third record, 2006's Hawaiian Blossom, featuring the jazz ballad "Taking a Chance on Love," was quickly deemed her most complex and polished work to date.


text:
The Office of Advertising & Publications is the source for NYU's communications needs. As a fully staffed agency we have provided communications solutions to the University community for over 25 years. We offer the full range of account management, graphic design services, editorial services, ad placements, in print and online, publishing production, print procurement and mailing services.
As members of the NYU community we understand your goals. We put our expertise behind your initiatives with award-winning design, aggressive pricing and the most complete bundle of services available.
For more information, please contact:
Deborah Broderick
Associate Vice President
25 West 4th Street, 6th floor


text:
HP Financial Services
HP Rentals
Improve your big picture
You can keep your enterprise nimble when you have quick access to the latest technology, especially for short-term needs like a data center move, consolidation, or proof of concept. What if you need to transition at a moment's notice or test new technologies in a live environment?
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Flexible options with pre-owned
HP Pre-owned can help maintain your IT lifecycle needs without sacrifice.
Learn more
Related materials
1 HPE Financial Services, Internal Research Study, December 2015
Financing and service offerings available through Hewlett-Packard Financial Services Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively HPFSC) in certain countries and is subject to credit approval and execution of standard HPFSC documentation. Rates and terms are based on customer's credit rating, offering types, services and/or equipment type and options. Not all customers may qualify. Not all services or offers are available in all countries. Other restrictions may apply. HPFSC reserves the right to change or cancel this program at any time without notice.


text:
Browns release rookie charged with attempted murder
PASSAIC, N.J. (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have released a free-agent rookie who has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly punching a man outside a club in northern New Jersey.
Ausar Walcott turned himself in to Passaic police Tuesday after he was identified as a suspect in the incident that happened around 3 a.m. Sunday.
Authorities tell The Record newspaper the 23-year-old Hackensack native and former University of Virginia player punched 24-year-old Derrick Jones in the head just after The Palace Gentlemen's Club closed. Police say Jones, who is from New York City, is in critical condition.
Walcott is held on $500,000 bail. It's not clear if he has a defense lawyer.
The linebacker was signed by the Browns last month. In an earlier statement, the team says it was "aware of the situation." Later Wednesday, the Browns issued a one-sentence statement saying Walcott had been released.
Get breaking news sent to your mobile phone. Text "news" to 21095.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press, all rights reserved.)


text:
CRN Storage News
Nick Noviello, the face of NetApp's financial side for the past four years, left the company for a noncompetitive opportunity, the company said, giving the storage vendor a chance to have more of its executives report directly to CEO George Kurian.
The 10 Biggest EMC Stories Of 2015To say it was a busy year in Hopkinton, Mass. would be a gross understatement. Here we look back at the 10 biggest EMC stories of the last 12 months.
The 10 Biggest Microsoft Stories Of 2015It was once again a busy year for Microsoft, as the world's largest software vendor launched Windows 10 and made big splashes in hardware and cloud computing. Here are CRN's picks for the top 10 Microsoft stories of the year.
NetApp CEO: Solidfire's Technology Expected To Attract DevOps-Focused Enterprises, Service ProvidersNetApp CEO George Kurian tells investors the vendor's $870 million acquisition of Solidfire is expected to bring in new types of customers that focus on DevOps and cloud software development.
Sources: NetApp To Pull Trigger On SolidFire Acquisition TodayNetApp plans to take the wraps off its $1.2 billion acquisition of flash storage array vendor SolidFire, a move that will add highly regarded technology to its portfolio.
Carbonite Expands Its Cloud Data Protection Tech To Midrange With EVault AcquisitionCarbonite, which has been quickly growing its small business data protection capabilities and moving from its consumer-focused roots, is taking a big step into the midrange with its acquisition of most of EVault from Seagate.
The 10 Biggest Storage Stories Of 2015As mature as the storage industry is, the year had so many startups, funding rounds and acquisitions that it might just as well have been the Wild West.
NetApp To Make $1.2 Billion Bid For SolidFire: SourcesNetApp, which has seen its all-flash storage business grow even as its FlashRay business has not, looks set to make a bid for all-flash storage array maker SolidFire, but other vendors have also discussed such an acquisition, industry sources tell CRN.
Carbonite Taps Bit9's Jessica Couto To Serve As Vice President, North American Channel SalesCouto sat down with CRNtv to discuss her new post and Carbonite's new disaster recovery portfolio.
Storage Startup Cohesity Appoints Ex-NetApp CEO To Board, Former Nicira CEO Joins As AdviserCohesity, run by former Google engineer and Nutanix co-founder Mohit Aron, named a couple of well-known industry veterans to board and advisory roles.
NetApp Exec: Company Ready to Grow with New CEO, Flash, Cloud OfferingsNew NetApp CEO George Kurian is squeezing out efficiencies in declining legacy lines so the vendor can double down on the surging cloud and flash storage markets.
IDC: Storage Sales Shift From On-Prem External Arrays Toward Cloud, Server-Based StorageA move away from external storage arrays spells bad news for storage-focused vendors, and by extension their solution provider communities.
Pure Storage CEO: Dell-EMC Deal Didn't Come From StrengthPure Storage CEO Scott Dietzen said Dell's proposed acquisition of EMC will create confusion and strategy shifts, enabling his company to win customers and channel partners from EMC.
The 10 Coolest Storage Startups Of 2015The importance of startups in developing new technologies that can significantly impact the storage industry continued this year as a strong new crop of technology developers rose to stake their claim.
Violin Memory Reports Disappointing Quarter, Is Exploring 'Strategic Alternatives'The all-flash storage array vendor's CEO cited a delay in a large solution rollout because of technical issues with the installed base of one of its largest customers for the revenue drop, and said the company remains attractive even as it explores strategic alternatives.
Dell Said To Be Talking To Buyout Firms, Citigroup About Sale Of SonicWall, Quest, PerotDell is in serious discussions with several well-known buyout firms about the possibility of their purchasing SonicWall and Quest Software, and with Citigroup about selling Perot Systems in deals that could significantly cut the debt that would result from its EMC acquisition, according to Reuters.
Violin Memory Expands All-flash Line As Way To Grow Its Primary Storage BusinessViolin Memory, which had been focused on a narrow range of workloads with its high-performance all-flash storage solutions, found it needed to adapt its technology to fit a broad range of workloads as the way to grow.
Dell Partners Say New EMC Reseller Agreement Would Smooth Road To AcquisitionDell partners wonder whether Dell could begin reselling data storage giant EMC's products and solutions before the two companies finalize their proposed $67 billion merger next year.
The 10 Coolest Servers Of 2015The server market changed rapidly in 2015 as industry powerhouses Dell, EMC, HP and Lenovo raced to embrace new trends like hyper-converged infrastructure.
SC15: Performance Storage Solutions For SupercomputingThe Supercomputing 2015 (SC15) conference brought a wide range of storage vendors looking to introduce storage to support the increasing requirements of supercomputing and high-performance computing environments. Here's a look at 10 vendors and their products.


text:
Money Matter$
Money Matter$ is a financial literacy program that provides resources for Seattle University School of Law students to increase their personal finance literacy. The program aims to provide basic knowledge and skills to help you make informed decisions regarding your money and budget.
The program is composed of two elements that are designed to complement each other: in-person sessions and online materials. The in-person sessions are an opportunity to delve indepth into a particular topic and have your questions answered by a subject matter expert. The online materials provide additional information that is available to you at any time. The Money Matter$ calendar details when and where the in-person sessions occur, while the remainder of the website lists online materials that cover a wide array of financial topics.
- Alternative Loans
- Ask a Tax Expert
- Budgeting
- Financial Literacy Basics
- Identity Theft
- Loan Forgiveness
- Loan Repayment
- Money Management/Financial Planning
- Online Financial Calculators
- Understanding Credit
Seattle University School of Law provides these links as a courtesy to its students. These sites are not endorsed by Seattle University. Some of these sites require personal information. We urge you to use your discretion and be careful when disclosing this type of information. We encourage you to explore your options using various resources so that you can make well informed decisions about your current and future finances.


text:
Offering magnificent resort homes in a park-like setting filled with natural beauty, L'Aiglon has a solid reputation for exceptional quality. The property features unobstructed views of Mont-Tremblant, Gray Rocks and Mont-Blanc ski slopes, as well as the Diable River.
A variety of layouts are available, all with private patios, natural wood-burning fireplaces, and airy rooms with walls of windows. Other amenities include ice skating and cross-country ski trails connecting to a network spanning the entire Mont-Tremblant region.
L'Algonquin is one of the highest home elevations in the Domaine de la Forêt with slopes at your door step. Some of the residences feature cathedral ceilings and a panoramic view of the lake, village and mountain. The homes with one or two bedrooms feature a rustic décor that is enhanced the by the wood finishing and stone fireplace. Each unit features a fully-equipped kitchen, radiant heat, jetted bathtub, TV/VCR/DVD, private balcony and free parking.
A perfect combination of an exclusive retreat but also within close proximity of the resort plaza and the Casino Express Gondola, L'Altitude offers well appointed one, two and three-bedroom luxury properties with dramatic views of the entire resort and Lake Tremblant. Other amenities include a full-equipped kitchen, heated floors in the kitchens and bathrooms, TV/VCR and/or DVD player, large balcony and even private outdoor hot tubs in some units.
Combine the privacy and tranquility of alpine life with the excitement and convenience of the resort plaza with these four-season resort homes situated in the Domaine de la Forêt. Le Chalumeau truly defines slopeside living. Oversized picture windows and spacious decks are perfect for enjoying the remarkable vistas right outside your door. Other amenities include a TV/VCR/DVD player, whirlpool bathtub, fully-equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer.
Featuring charming courtyards just steps from all Mont Tremblant has to offer resides Château Beauvallon, a luxury hotel blending casual elegance and country chic. This full-service hotel offers onsite fine dining and a scotch bar, as well as fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor hot tubs and swimming pools. Château Beauvallon guests enjoy services like concierge, valet and in-room spa treatments. Château Beauvallon offers spacious one-bedroom through four-bedroom suites with kitchenettes or full kitchens, dining tables, HDTVs, private balconies and fine linens. Bathrooms featured heated floors and separate showers and baths. Many suites offer countryside views. Additional amenities at Château Beauvallon include complimentary Wi-Fi, ski storage and banquet rooms.
Equinoxe, Tremblant Resort's premiere residential condominium, is the highest development on Mont Tremblant. Located directly on Tremblant Resort, Equinoxe combines "on resort living" with the exclusivity of a luxury residential mountainside location. Equinoxe is on the west slope of Mont Tremblant, above and overlooking Tremblant Resort's main pedestrian village. We are connected to Tremblant resort village by our dedicated nature walkway (6-8 minutes) as well as to the new South Bowl village (7-9 minute walk). Equinoxe's unsurpassed location is highlighted by amazing views from our floor to ceiling windows. The condominiums feature elevators, heated underground parking, thermostatically controlled heating and central air-conditioning, premium stainless steel kitchens, Kohler plumbing fixtures, two person jet tubs, and more. We are three private owners of three Equinoxe West condos who are making their personal vacation residences available for weekly rentals to visitors who appreciate the addes value offered by an upscale "home-away-from home" while vacationing at Tremblant Resort.
Les Suites Tremblant's latest gem, a boutique-hotel whose sophistication will appeal to your senses. Experience a hotel that can be completely devoted to your well-being and peace of mind. Nestled between Lac Tremblant and Lac Miroir, Ermitage du Lac is Tremblant's most intimate hotel with 69 supremely comfortable rooms and suites
Tremblant's newest project is the perfect place to put everything behind you. Relive the rustic alpine architectural style of the '30s and '40s. All year long, you can enjoy ski-in/ski-out access. Fifty-four sophisticated slopeside condominiums, built with natural minerals, earth tones and solid workmanship, are arranged in a gentle curve that hugs the base of the mountains.
Fairmont Tremblant puts you in
the middle of all the fun… from the
lively street life of the pedestrian
village to a Laurentian playground
that's as big as all outdoors.
Nestled in the heart of a European-style village at the foot
of Mont Tremblant, this world-class resort boasts a dazzling
array of lakes and trails, gourmet restaurants, charming
bistros, exclusive boutiques, nightclubs and the Casino de
Mont-Tremblant. The region offers an abundance of yearround
activities including five championship golf courses,
mountain biking, water sports, hiking, cycling, tennis,
river rafting, alpine and cross country skiing, snowmobiling,
snowshoeing, ice climbing and much more!
Located in a natural wonderland, high up on the mountain, Haut-Bois residences offer breathtaking views of the Laurentian region. Close to Parc national du Mont-Tremblant, and only minutes from the pedestrian village, each of these luxurious two and three-bedroom homes have a cozy living room with a fireplace, a TV, fully-equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer.


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Robyn and Royksopp announce collaborative EP, reveal new single
Listen to Robyn on iHeartRadio | Listen to Royksopp on iHeartradio
Swedish superstar Robyn has announced plans to release new music. She's set to drop a five-track EP with the help of collaborators Norwegian dance music duo Royksopp.
The joint-release is being led by the single "Monument," which will become available for download starting April 28th. The album will arrive on May 26th, two weeks before they take off on a world tour together.
The tour will make stops in six cities in the U.S., marking a much-anticipated return to the States for fans of the singer.
Billboard says the new music from Robyn came to be after she spent a night out in Norway with the producers/DJs, who were also featured on her 2010 album Body Talk Part One.
Do It Again Tracklist:
01. Monument
02. Sayit
03. Do It Again
04. Every Little Thing
05. Inside The Idle Hour Club
Check out a preview of "Monument" below:
Another track on the EP, "Say It," was used in the "Do It Again Tour" trailer:


text:
- Mercury-containing Products and Devices
- Lead Wheel Weights
- Lead in Plumbing
- Mercury in Thermostats
- Toxics in Lighting
- Lead and Arsenic in Glass Beads
- Restrictions on the use of Hazardous Substances
- Lead in Jewelry
- Cadmium in Jewelry
- Treated Wood Waste
- Household Hazardous Waste
- Universal Waste
- Toxics in Packaging
- P2 Home
- Toxics in Products Branch
- Green Technology Branch
- Pollution Prevention Branch
- P2 Contacts
Quick Links:
Toxics in Products
The Toxics in Products Branch is committed to reducing, if not eliminating, toxic chemicals in products. It also promotes the proper disposal, and recycling of products that have reached the end of their useful life.
What to do when a product contains toxics


text:
Jump to: navigation, search
This is my intent to get together all the information that I have seen about this card. I hope this to be usefull and a begin point for other people. Please, don't hesitage to edit this document. My english is terrible and I would be glad to be somebody working on it.
This information has been obtained from alsa mail lists. I'm not the author of this information.
This card is a good piece of hardware with a lot of possibilities, but still no well supported for final user (I hope this to be solved soon). The main features are:
Alsa doesn't support in this time (2009/02) this device. It is possible to make it work, but there is a big problem as we will see soon.
This device is not compatible with usb-audio but it is possible to tell to the driver just to use it.
Just add the following entry somewhere in sound/usb/usbquirks.h and to recompile the driver:
/* Edirol M-16DX */
USB_DEVICE(0x0582, 0x00c4),
.driver_info = (unsigned long) & (const struct snd_usb_audio_quirk) {
.ifnum = QUIRK_ANY_INTERFACE,
.type = QUIRK_COMPOSITE,
.data = (const struct snd_usb_audio_quirk[]) {
.ifnum = 0,
.type = QUIRK_AUDIO_STANDARD_INTERFACE
.ifnum = 1,
.type = QUIRK_AUDIO_STANDARD_INTERFACE
.ifnum = 2,
.type = QUIRK_MIDI_FIXED_ENDPOINT,
.data = & (const struct snd_usb_midi_endpoint_info) {
.out_cables = 0x0001,
.in_cables = 0x0001
.ifnum = -1
I have proved it and it works, alsa detect de device and loads usb-audio
and all the audio inputs and outputs and the midi interfaces are
available. When I plug it I get
kernel: usb 1-7: new high speed USB device using ehci_hcd and address 4
kernel: usb 1-7: configuration #1 chosen from 1 choice
kernel: usb 1-7: New USB device found, idVendor=0582, idProduct=00c4
kernel: usb 1-7: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=0
kernel: usb 1-7: Product: M-16DX
kernel: usb 1-7: Manufacturer: EDIROL
kernel: usbcore: registered new interface driver snd-usb-audio
pulseaudio[4115]: alsa-util.c: Device front:1 doesn't support sample format s16le, changed to s32le.
pulseaudio[4115]: alsa-util.c: Cannot find fallback mixer control "PCM".
portatil pulseaudio[4115]: alsa-util.c: Device hw:1 doesn't support 2 channels, changed to 18.
pulseaudio[4115]: alsa-util.c: Device hw:1 doesn't support sample format s16le, changed to s32le.
pulseaudio[4115]: alsa-util.c: Cannot find fallback mixer control "Mic".
so, you can figure out that pulseaudio is seeing the device and
detecting the sample size, frecuency and ins and outs. If I look in the
cards information
cat /proc/asound/cards
it respond
0 [Intel ]: HDA-Intel - HDA Intel
HDA Intel at 0xb0000000 irq 22
1 [M16DX ]: USB-Audio - M-16DX
EDIROL M-16DX at usb-0000:00:1d.7-7, high speed
and when I look at the card information
cat /proc/asound/card1/stream0
EDIROL M-16DX at usb-0000:00:1d.7-7, high speed : USB Audio
Status: Stop
Interface 0
Altset 1
Format: 0xa
Channels: 2
Endpoint: 2 OUT (ASYNC)
Rates: 44100
Status: Stop
Interface 1
Altset 1
Format: 0xa
Channels: 18
Endpoint: 1 IN (ASYNC)
Rates: 44100
Just the configuration that I use in the M-16DX. And if I change the configuration in the M-16DX, it changes accordingly by unplugging and pluggin again.
But there is a problem with audio in a periodic way. A distortion that sounds like a bad audio sync come in and it's affected with the samplerate.
This is a stupid workaround, but I'm now working with it. I own a Edirol M-16DX and a UA-4FX and use it with the M-16DX as in's and the UA-4FX as out's. In this moment this works for me because the latency is very low.
I know that I seen sometime a modprobe option (I think) that solved the problem of distortion, but I'm not available to find it again. Sorry.
I hope this helps.
Retrieved from "http://alsa.opensrc.org/Edirol_M-16DX"


text:
Microtechnology helps return stolen belongings
WCBD-TV: News, Weather, and Sports for Charleston, SC
From our News Partners at WCBD-TV:
We work hard day in and day out to be able to afford the things that we own. So its no wonder we try hard to protect those things from being stolen. From home security systems to deadbolts to motion detectors, we do everything we can to keep the bad guys from getting our belongings. But what if your things are stolen? Now there is a new way to help you get them back.
"We call it DNA for your property or digital nano-authenticators," says James Mounce, Director of Security Products for DataDots Dealer Services. "It's like a digital name tag for your property. It's little tiny writing on a microdot. Similar to when mom sent you off to camp as a kid and wrote your name on the back of your underwear, in case you lost it, your roommate borrowed it or one of the other campers ran it up a flagpole as a joke. You can identify it as yours so you can get it back."
It's called a CopDot pen. The pen puts out a mixture of glue and microdots with a number engraved on them. Each pen has a unique number that you register as your own in an online database. Use the pen on your property whatever it may be, computers, cell phones, family heirlooms and such. Then if something were to be stolen and recovered by law enforcement, they are able to read the CopDots, find you in the database and return your items.
"Very often we go to a burglary report and we ask the people, 'Ok, what kind of TV was it?' 'I don't know, it was this big and black.' They don't even remember the brand, much less, the serial number off the back. This way they don't even necessarily have to remember that stuff," says Sergeant Trevor Shelor with the Charleston Police Department. The microdots make it easier for both the victim and the officer.
Another great part of the CopDot is doesn't cost the police department anything. The company that makes them has provided equipment to them for free.
"We've provided all the detection equipment to law enforcement at no charge. Because if they don't participate, it doesn't work," says Mounce.
Thefts represent a large chunk of the crimes committed in the United States. The FBI reports that nationwide there were 354,396 robberies in 2011. That same year there were 2,188,055 burglaries and 6,159,795 larcenies.
In 2011 in the City of Charleston, there were 162 robberies, 533 burglaries and 2,975 larcenies.
The Charleston police department is the first law enforcement agency in South Carolina to use this new micro-dot technology. Richland County Sheriff's Department in the Midlands will start using CopDots next week. And the company is hoping to partner with other local law enforcement agencies in the near future.
Photo Credit: Kentoh Shutterstock


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Rebase Working Synthesis
[edit] Project Name
ReBase Working Synthesis AKA ReMakeBaseBootClean 2013
[edit] Proposer
Jarrod Hicks firstname.lastname@example.com
[edit] Summary
This is intended to be a living document that will be updated between weekly Rebase meetings. It will be an attempt to compile all the existing PFAs and Ideas into a single visual document which outlines the overall direction of the Rebase 2013 Project
See the plan below for an example: (This is mostly my proposals and my interpretations of other people's proposals)
File:Noisebridge - Sheet - A101 - Working Synthesis Plan.pdf
Here is the plan in DWG format for use in CAD programs.
[edit] What Will Be Done
After the weekly discussion and review of notes and new PFAs. This plan will be updated to reflect the current thinking of the Rebase group. This document will be printed, dated, and displayed around Noisebridge.
[edit] What Areas in the Space Will This Affect
Possibly everything
[edit] Who Will Be Doing It
Jarrod, the note takers, and all attendees of the Rebase meetings
[edit] Why This Will Be Good
It will be an additional way to introduce the work of the Rebase group with the greater Noisebridge community
[edit] Why This Will Be Bad
It may mean ordering several more ink cartridges for my printer...
[edit] How Long Will It Take
Until it is done
[edit] In A Fantastic World, What Extra Budget Would You Like
It would be nice to plot these plans on larger paper as the project matures.
[edit] Are There Any Other PFAs This Would Work Well With
Hopefully all of them
[edit] Are There Any Other PFAs This Would Contradict
Probably none.


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Item: 2024334
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These durable plastic hangers offer a heavyweight design. With 18 hangers, this pack makes it easy to keep clothing organized, accessible and wrinkle-free.Product Features:
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By sum rocksteady
from mount laurel, nj
About Me Homeowner
Comments about BJs Wholesale Club Heavyweight Plastic Hangers, 18 pk. - White:
first off they were not white but a light gray in color. second, they were not what I would call heavyweight plastic, maybe medium or less. I was expecting hangers that I had previously purchased a few years ago at the warehouse and they were white and they were indeed heavyweight, strong and thick plastic. these were a letdown in all aspects.
Bottom Line No, I would not recommend this to a friend
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Not White!
By Kris
from Chalotte, NC
About Me Professional
I was upset when I received the hangers b/c I was expecting it in white and they're clearly GREY.
Just what I neded
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from Seaford ny
Good bargain
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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description: The vicious thorns surrounding a weaver's nest keep most predators at bay. But stealthy snakes and mighty raptors are always looking for ways to break the perimeter.

is_us_only: false

title: World's Weirdest: Weaver Home Security

allowUserEmbed: True

credit: National Geographic

transcript:
This weaverbird has an excellent home security system.
Of course, as with any good real estate, it's all about location.
He's found an acacia tree with everything a potential mate could want...a water view, shade, and most importantly, viciously sharp thorns to keep most predators away.
The custom built home doesn't hurt either.
Male weavers build intricate, tightly woven nests.
If the female is happy with her general contractor's design, she moves in.
Weavers depend upon their construction skills to keep their hatchlings safe.
Usually, it works.  But it doesn't stop the predators from trying.
The noisy, boisterous colony is attracting some unwanted attention.
This snake wants eggs for breakfast.
As it carefully winds its way around the thorns towards a nest, a weaver sounds the burglar alarm.
With a few deft moves, the weaver dumps his nemesis into the drink.
Fending off this attacker won't be so easy.
The Gabar goshawk can perch right on the nest.
Actually breaking into it is a little harder.
But all it takes is one little design flaw and the hatchlings are toast.


text:
Q: More on ExpressLanes
I realize a transponder is needed to drive in the new ExpressLanes on the Harbor (110) Freeway, but what about nonresident and out-of-state drivers who come here and drive in the ExpressLanes and don't have a transponder? How will they be monitored?
- Jane Sawai
Redondo Beach
Those drivers won't be allowed in the ExpressLanes. All drivers using the ExpressLanes must have a transponder.
The transponders, which are affixed to vehicle windshields, are needed to regulate the flow of traffic so the ExpressLanes flow freely. Using the ExpressLanes without a transponder will result in a traffic ticket and hefty fine from an automated camera or California Highway Patrol officer.
- Nick Green
To ask us: Curious about something in the South Bay or Harbor Area? Let us know, and we'll try to get answers. You can 1) leave us a message at 310-543-6698, 2) fax us at 310-540-6272, 3) mail us a letter to Ask Us, Daily Breeze, South Bay Tower, 21250 Hawthorne Blvd., Suite 170, Torrance, CA 90503 or 4) email us at email@example.com. Include your name, address and daytime phone number.


text:
By Rich Myhre Herald Writer
LAKE STEVENS — It can sometimes take the pain of disappointment to fully appreciate the joy of triumph.
Just ask the Lake Volleyball Club U15 Blue team, a squad comprised this season of girls from Lake Stevens, Snohomish, Monroe, Marysville Pilchuck and Archbishop Murphy high schools. In recent years the Lake Stevens team has been on the verge of a breakthrough season, but unfortunately they could never get closer than, well, close.
But a few weeks ago, the girls got their long-awaited breakthrough. In a qualifying tournament in Auburn, the team earned a spot in next week's USA Volleyball Girls Junior National Championships in Dallas, where they begin play on Monday.
"For two years these guys have really been on the edge," said Keith Manske, the team's head coach. "They just kept barely missing it." And in a national qualifier where only two teams advance, "it's heartbreaking to get third."
In fact, it happened earlier this season at a qualifier in Spokane. "Everybody was bawling because they'd just missed it," Manske said. "That's how big a deal it was.
But the team got back to work and had another chance at the Auburn tournament. "Our focus was to get into the top two, and when we did it was a big relief," Manske said. "It's something they've really been gunning for."
Securing a place at nationals "is so exciting," said Jessica Brennis, a sophomore-to-be at Snohomish. "We've been working for this since we were 11 or 12 years old. We've been playing and learning together, and now we're actually going somewhere with this."
"It's really exciting," added Sophie Swanson, an incoming sophomore at Lake Stevens. "We worked so hard all season and we finally made it."
The Lake Volleyball Club is one of about 50 similar clubs in Washington, and one of about a a few thousand dollars (the cost varies depending on the level of travel) to practice and play through the winter, spring and into the early summer. Since high school volleyball is a fall sport, those who also play in clubs are essentially year-round players.
For girls who want to play in college, "club is a definite key," Manske said. When club teams qualify for nationals, college coaches start calling on the theory that good teams have good players. Already, he said, "the girls are sending out résumés."
The national tournament at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas will bring together hundreds of teams from U12 to U18. The Lake Stevens team, one of 48 teams in the third tier (American) of U15, will have pool matches for the first three days, followed by a final day of a single-elimination format.
And the Lake Stevens club is not the only team headed to nationals with athletes from Snohomish County. The Northwest Juniors Elite U18 and U14 teams, both based in Edmonds, will also compete.
Nationally, many of the premier teams typically come from the volleyball-hotbed states of California and Texas. But Lake Stevens often plays out-of-state clubs at various tournaments, so the coaches and players understand the level of competition.
"The California teams are super good because they have the beach to play on all the time," said Jessica Clark, who will be a sophomore at Monroe. "But the good thing about playing better teams is that it makes us play our best. You just get so much more adrenalin in you."
"I know we're good enough to beat the teams that are going to be at nationals," Swanson said. "If we focus and keep our heads in the game, we can do really well."
In a field of 48 teams, Manske expects that Lake Stevens "will probably be in the top 12 teams. And then it really just comes down to how we play in any given match. We could lose to a team that ends up No. 48 because we had a bad game. But we could also beat the No. 1 team. That's how close it's going to be.
"It's going to be tough because you don't get (to nationals) without being really good," he said. "But the good thing is, when this team hits the court to play they're absolutely tigers. They just go at it with everything they have."
The path to a national championship is long, difficult and with little margin for error. "But if we play like we know we can play," Brennis said, "we actually have a shot of taking the whole tournament."
Lake Volleyball Club U15 Blue
Courtney Fitzmaurice, S, M. Pilchuck
Megan Holman, MB, Lake Stevens
Sophie Swanson, OH, Lake Stevens
Amanda Stainer, RS, Lake Stevens
Alexandra Hadden, S, Monroe
Taylor Webber, RS, Lake Stevens
Jessica Clark, OH, Monroe
Madison Solis, L, Lake Stevens
Gabrielle Flake, L, Arch. Murphy
Jazzmyn Poirier, MB, Snohomish
Jessica Brennis, OH, Snohomish
Cyrene Hertzog, OH, Snohomish
Keith Manske, Head coach
Greg Post, Assistant coach
Nikki Baehm, Assistant coach
Positions: L—Libero; MB—Middle blocker; OH—Outside hitter; RS—Right side; S—Setter.


text:
WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. -- Public school districts throughout Westchester County on winter break this week.
Several private schools have that were scheduled to have classes have announced closures because of the storm expected to arrive in the area Tuesday morning.
They are: Good Counsel Academy in White Plains, The Harvey School in Katonah, Maria Regina in Hartsdale, Rye Country Day School and Yonkers Christian Academy.
Westchester Community College will have a delayed opening at 1 p.m. on the main campus and all extension locations.


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text:
We've been crunching numbers pretty heavily at HT this month. This December issue includes the publication of our 4th annual Lodging Technology Study, and our annual Point-of-sale Software Trends Report. After weeks of gathering input from our readers, analyzing data, and drafting the reports, we can appreciate why data — and in particular the big variety — can be overwhelming.
HT's 2014 Lodging Technology Study — as with all of our annual technology studies — is the culmination of months of effort. Hundreds of data points are evaluated and analyzed. This year's report includes several compelling new findings. For example, we've calculated the average IT budget as a percentage of revenue, and we've plotted satisfaction scores for many of the important (and not-so-important) technologies used in hotels. The key takeaway? In 2014 it's all about bandwidth. (And if you were wondering, Big Data is still a Big Mystery.)
Our cover story "POS Unchained" includes the findings from a reader poll on POS software solutions. Restaurants and their POS suppliers are eating mobile for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Judging from our survey results and vendors' research and development efforts, if you're a restaurant and don't have a mobile strategy, you're behind.
These reports come just in time for 2014 planning. We hope the information gleaned from them is useful for you, and wish you the very best in the year ahead.


text:
Drake Expands Rap's Borders On His Globe-Hopping 'More Life' Playlist
Drake continues his quest for global domination with the release of More Life, the 22-track country-hopping, genre-spanning "playlist" that opens the borders of hip-hop and redefines the pop star in 2017. In another left turn from the 6 God, Drake disregarded a uniform aesthetic for the project, like the introspective R&B on 2011's Take Care and the return-to-form bars on If You're Reading This It's Too Late, opting instead for a collage of his current inspirations, using his favorite artists and sounds as a vision board to show where his head is currently at.
Constantly innovating, Drake advances his efforts on Views to break out of the mold of the typical rapper, equal parts singing and rapping, in an attempt to stop being pigeon-holed solely in hip-hop. While artists like Justin Beiber, Justin Timberlake, and Ed Sheeran add more and more rap into their pop songs with continued mainstream success, Drake has been open about his frustrations entering the pop stratosphere. "I'm apparently a rapper, even though 'Hotline Bling' is not a rap song," Drizzy shared with UK's DJ Semtex in a rare interview. "The only category that they can manage to fit me in is in a rap category, maybe because I've rapped in the past or because I'm black," he expressed when asked about his Grammy wins. He clearly found inspiration behind his frustration, as his ambitions on More Life find him not only diving even deeper into Caribbean music, but playing with deep house, grime, trap, and more.
Stream Drake's More Life
In a world where we expect sudden, surprise releases from the biggest names in music, most shocking about More Life was how traditional the release was - on time and on schedule. Alongside manager Oliver El-Khatib, the 6 God unveiled his playlist curated by October Firm on Episode 39 of his OVO Sound Radio show on Beats 1 Radio on Saturday night (March 18th). Fans collectively listened to the premiere of the project start to finish, instead of having it immediately on demand to skip tracks when a song didn't catch their ear. More Life was later made available on all streaming services, a move away from his past Apple Music exclusivity. It was all part of Drake's plan, telling DJ Semtex, "I love the way it's put together. It's really put together as a seamless listen. Basically, what I asked myself was, 'What would happen if I just did an OVOSOUND Radio but every song was a new Drake song?' That was kind of my idea for it."
"It's just an evolution of the mixtape," he explained. "It was getting tough to be like, 'I'm dropping a mixtape but it's for sale on iTunes.' It was like, 'Oh, that's your album.' I didn't want people to say this is my next album. Views was my album. This is something that, after Views, I was just inspired. I wanted to keep the music flowing."
Defining it as a playlist was ingenious, allowing Drake to curate from the talent he's met around the world and tapping into the relationships he has culled with global talent. The Toronto-London connection is on full display, featuring many of his favorite artists from across the pond. On More Life, we find the 30-year-old making stops around the world on his journey to the UK. He lands in South Africa for the Deep House track "Get It Together," a flip of Black Coffee's "Superman," and returns to the Caribbean and Jamaican patois featured on Views with "Passionfruit" and "Madiba Riddim," two dancehall-ready summer hits.
PLAYLIST - Thumbs Up: Drake
UK's Sampha provides haunting vocals on "4422" and Drake's love of Grime, a British form of hip-hop with roots in dancehall and reggae, shines throughout the project. Giggs is featured on the chest pounding tracks "No Long Talk" and "KMT" and Drake gives his good friend and rising star Skepta his own interlude. He doesn't forget about the US rap world that birthed him, with mentor Lil Wayne speaking on two interludes, and the heavy-leaning Kanye feature of "Glow," with West sounding more hopeful and positive than he has in a while. Drake doesn't forget the hotbed of mainstream rap and heads to Atlanta, with Quavo, Travi$ Scott, 2 Chainz, and Young Thug making appearances on "Portland," "Sacrifices," and "Ice Melts" - some of the brightest spots on the project.
Drake's decision to create a playlist instead of a traditional album allowed him to release a project of moods, inspirations, and ideas instead of a hyper-focused album. The relaxed feel of More Life proves that Drake is just as much of a fan and a student of the game as he is a teacher - one who has cemented his place as the next in line to take the crown. The 6 God continues to evolve, opening borders and revamping the pop and rap world to fit his own definition.