World

Bill Gates, renowned philanthropist, entrepreneur and soon-to-be grandfather, is sounding the alarm on the urgent need for immediate, concrete action against climate change. His recent call for robust and urgent actions reflects his concerns for the survival and prosperity of future generations, emphasising the role of current leaders in shaping the fate of our planet.

Gates underlined the key role leadership plays in charting the course towards environmental redemption. The tech titan insists polluters must pay for the inglorious damage done to the environment and called upon developed countries to impose taxes on the excessive profit made by fossil fuel companies. This came amidst a reminder of the staggering amounts of greenhouse gas emissions still being released, an issue that has provoked concern among environmental organizations and global governing bodies such as the United Nations.

Perhaps surprisingly, it was the imminent arrival of his first grandchild that catalysed this renewed zeal in Gates. He candidly admitted to seeing the world from a new perspective since his daughter announced his impending grandparenthood. Gates contends that the way current leaders tackle the climate catastrophe will heavily influence the kind of world we bequeath to our descendants.

The solution, as Gates sees it, is radical and urgent. He called for a revolutionization of the entire physical economy, encompassing everything from manufacturing to agriculture, transportation, and electricity. This, he believes, is what is needed to achieve the target of zero carbon emissions.

But this is not just a task for governments and non-profits to shoulder. Gates reminded us that philanthropy alone cannot solve the climate problem. The momentum for change must also come from the private sector, with businesses taking up the green mantle and playing their part in combating this global crisis.

In support of this, Gates pointed out that his foundation has been investing in businesses striving towards green solutions. One notable example is Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a firm committed to financing companies intent on achieving carbon neutrality.

Gates’ vision is to inspire a generation of green entrepreneurs worldwide. He believes that the profit incentive will encourage other innovators to compete, effectively driving down the prices of cutting-edge, zero-emission solutions. This could have a profound impact on the reduction of emissions from buildings, one of the major contributors to global warming.

As this visionary billionaire contemplates his new role as a grandfather, his perspective on the plight of the planet is becoming increasingly poignant and powerful. For Gates, the rapid evolution of climate change is no longer just an economic or political problem, but an unprecedented threat to the world that his granddaughter, along with billions of other children, will inherit.

Gates’ impassioned call to arms confronts us with the sobering reality of the world as it currently stands, highlighting the increasing urgency of the issue. As he pointed out, “we’re falling short” on short-term climate objectives. And while fossil fuels can’t be eradicated overnight, Gates remains hopeful, asserting that we need to invest in de-carbonization technologies while ensuring that no single individual or country is left behind in this fight for a cleaner, safer planet.

Undoubtedly, this is a monumental challenge, arguably the hardest one humanity has ever faced. But as we find ourselves at a veritable environmental crossroads, Bill Gates is leading the way, urging all individuals, communities, businesses, and governments to seize the opportunity to usher in a better, more sustainable future. It’s a plea not just for his unborn grandchild, but also for every citizen of this planet.

Floating into The Watery Future: An Architectural Innovation for Rising Waters

As we venture to address the climate crisis, the reality of present challenges bubbles up to the surface. The continual rise in sea levels has set a daunting pace, with US coastlines expected to rise by 10 to 12 inches by 2050. The perils powdered by rising tides paint a particularly grim picture for the nearly 900 million people dwelling in fragile, low-lying coastal zones.

Unfolding the pages from his new book, “African Water Cities,” Kunlé Adeyemi, an architect with an innovative lens, inspiring the world with an adaptable attitude – “Why fight water when you can learn to live with it?” His brainchild, the Makoko Floating System (MFS) – a set of sustainable timber structures that can be readily assembled and dismantled, emerges as a beacon of hope against the doomsday backdrop. A keenly engineered innovation, the MFS stands up to European building codes with modularity and efficiency hidden in its details.

These progressive strides are vividly displayed at the ongoing exhibition, “Water Cities Rotterdam,” at the Dutch city’s Nieuwe Instituut. Alongside the MFS, NLÉ’s earlier floating projects, including floating pavilions and the acclaimed Makoko Floating School, offer a glimpse into the evolving face of architecture.

With most of Rotterdam that lies below sea level, futuristic architectural marvels can be identified throughout the landscape of this delta city, with floating office complexes and farms that have also come alive in the city. A case in point is Nassauhaven, showcasing the spectacle of 17 floating homes structured by local firm, Public Domain Architects (PDA). As the groundwork to future-proof Rotterdam, Nassauhaven is the city’s first floating residential area, echoing a “floating street” essence, with wood homes on concrete pontoons tethered to the harbor floor. Designed to ride the tides while assuring residents’ comfort, the structures tout energy neutrality, sustainability features like solar panels, biomass heating, and onsite wastewater purification.

A reflection on the 2011 Lagos flood compelled Adeyemi towards envisioning cities that could adapt and flourish amid flooding. Today, proposals for climate-resilient floating cities are turning heads worldwide. From oceanic settlements in South Korea to a massive Maldives development to house 20,000 inhabitants, the blueprints for aquatic living are becoming a reality in places like Lagos and Rotterdam.

Further projects that PDA and Adeyemi have in the pipeline include expanding their horizons to Bangladesh and developing additional floating quarters. By creating these ‘water-scrapers’, they anticipate helping society adapt with solutions that can be adopted globally. The MFS system, with its small, medium and large tri-angular A-frame structures, offers versatility from housing to education.

In 2021, the floating music hub, constructed in Mindelo, a port city off the West African coast, encapsulates Adeyemi’s vision. Spread across three pavilions, this floating spectacle houses a performance stage, bar, canteen, and recording studio. Constructed with prefabricated flat-pack parts, these structures can be erected by a five-person team in two weeks, opening doors towards an inclusive approach to climate adaptation, bringing the most vulnerable communities into focus.

Despite countless vulnerabilities faced by these communities, the growing interest in floating architecture is becoming a silver lining. Rather than fighting the elements, we’re learning to dance in sync, realizing that the safest place for climate adaptation is on the water itself. It is a potent example of how imminent threats can catalyze innovative solutions, stripping the narrative of climate change of its bleak hues and refashioning it with the bold optimism of adaptable architecture.

Design for Impact is no longer a luxury but a necessity, a new wave of architectural solution resilient against the trials of climate change, providing refuge for communities displaced by natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies. As the climate narrative evolves, so should our architectural response, shaping a future where we are not only able to weather the storm but also transform it into a refreshing spritz of possibilities.

As the world continues to push the boundaries of space exploration, the stakes are especially high for Russia’s space agency, Roscosmos. Their Luna 25 mission marked the nation’s first attempt at re-entry to the lunar surface since the Soviet era’s Luna 24 touchdown in 1976. Despite an on-board “emergency situation,” Roscosmos remains committed to proving the viability of its long-maligned, but painstakingly revitalised, civil space program.

The Luna 25 spacecraft, launched in early August from Russia’s Amur Oblast aboard a Soyuz-2 Fregat rocket, was scheduled for a swift journey towards the moon. However, the spacecraft faced an emergency as it attempted to enter a pre-landing orbit.

At the heart of this is the Luna 25 mission, essential not just for its symbolic bid to reconnect Russia with the moon, but also for its strategic positioning as a proving ground for future Roscosmos explorations. Several upcoming Luna missions are set to employ the same spacecraft design, magnifying the urgency to rectify any defects swiftly and effectively.

Roscosmos confirmed the incident in a post on messaging app Telegram, stating that the difficulties arose during an operation, preventing the maneuver from being executed according to specific parameters.

Such challenges aren’t new to Russia’s space program. Its history is dogged with quality control issues, corruption, and problems with funding, according to Victoria Samson, Washington office director at Secure World Foundation. Despite these challenges, however, landing Luna 25 safely could denote a pivotal moment for Russia’s return to space prominence.

The mission comes at a time when international attention is increasingly focusing on the moon. It’s worth noting that Luna 25’s trajectory saw it overtake its Indian counterpart, the Chandrayaan-3. However, to suggest that Russia and India are engaged in a race for the lunar south pole would be oversimplification, says astrophysicist Jonathan McDowell of the Center for Astrophysics, Harvard & Smithsonian. These ostensibly competing projects have been two decades in the making, contrasting with the media’s sensationalized presentations.

As of now, it remains unclear whether the emergency situation will prevent Luna 25 from attempting to touch down near the moon’s south pole. “The management team is currently analyzing the situation,” Roscosmos reported, signalling that this journey to the moon continues, albeit with a few “giant leaps” along the way.

In this marriage of visionary ambition and technical challenge, Luna 25 embodies the spirit of contemporary space exploration. Its success or failure will not just reflect on Russia’s space program, but will influence the narrative of our collective journey towards understanding our nearest celestial neighbour, reinstating humankind’s shared quest for lunar exploration, irrespective of national boundaries.

Whether Luna 25 ultimately succeeds in its mission, the complexities it navigates resonate far beyond Russia. They reflect the broader challenges at the forefront of space exploration: the need for comprehensive quality control and robust funding, and the balance between national pride and international cooperation. As the world watches, Luna 25’s voyage becomes an emblem of humanity’s audacity, resilience, and relentless pursuit of celestial knowledge.

Beyond the geopolitical narratives and technical challenges, Luna 25’s journey illuminates an essential truth about space exploration. Amidst a universe of profound mystery and monumental complexity, every step – every launch, and every landing – is a monumental achievement. For Russia, Luna 25 promises not just an attempt to reclaim space glory, but a testament to the indomitable spirit of human curiosity and the pursuit of understanding the cosmic arena.

He may have confessed to never having listened to a rap song when he first defended a rapper, but Drew Findling, an Atlanta-based attorney with over three decades of experience, has come a long way from that confession. In fact, he has come such a long way that he had earned a distinctive moniker from late Memphis rapper Young Dolph, “The Billion Dollar Lawyer”. He’s revered within Atlanta’s rap community, but now, his stage is set for a far more controversial client – former President Donald Trump. The nickname isn’t a passing comment by Young Dolph; it’s a testament to Mr. Findling’s high-profile status within the hip-hop world and his robust track record.

Garnishing a reputation as a powerhouse lawyer known for defending the big names in the mecca of black entertainment, from Cardi B to Waka Flocka Flame, Mr. Findling finds himself on the front line of an altogether different showdown. He was hired last year to represent Mr. Trump in the criminal investigation into election interference in the state of Georgia from the 2020 election. Becoming Mr. Trump’s defender places Mr. Findling squarely at the crossroads of his career. Here is a notoriously tough client who often discounts legal advice and aims to postpone the Georgia case until 2026, and a lawyer described by ex-clients as a “Robin Hood with Jesus swag”.

While the lawyer’s hip hop clientele initiated him to the nuances of free speech as it applies to the world of rap, his new case with Mr. Trump necessitates a different type of argument. Rather than dissect verse lyrics from a rap song, Mr. Findling now has to assert that the actions of an American President were merely aspirational. The former president’s legal team has indicated a heavy reliance on a free speech defense to challenge the charges in this case and a separate election subversion case ruled by the federal government.

It’s a political dance with higher stakes than his previous trials. That includes his work for Demetrius Flenory, a.k.a Big Meech, whom Mr. Findling helped secure acquittal for murder charges in 2003. This case shot Mr. Findling into the limelight and garnered him a reputation as a defender who could open the cross-racial dialogue. Reflecting on his career trajectory, Mr. Findling said, “I do not believe that we choose our client or clients based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, political belief or the substantive issues involved in the crime.”

However, Mr. Findling doesn’t hide from his political stance. As an avowed liberal, he’s openly criticized the former president, calling him “pathetic” and “racist”. He’s even donated $1,440 (£1,130) to Democrat Fani Willis’ successful bid as the top prosecutor in Georgia’s most populous county. These statements and actions add a unique twist to their attorney-client relationship. Despite the partisan lines in the sand, Mr. Findling seems to share the sentiments expressed by John Adams, the second US president, who was famously known for setting aside personal prejudice to represent British soldiers accused in the 1770 Boston Massacre.

Whether music mogul or ex-president, Mr. Findling is a lawyer first and foremost. Regardless of the twists and turns of public opinion, his raison d’être appears to be grounded in upholding his legal responsibility, regardless of his personal beliefs. His fortitude and effectiveness will surely be put to the test as he navigates the waters defending Mr. Trump. But if his past is any guide, it’s clear that he is more than up to the task.

In the face of adversities and the haunting inferno of history, choosing to buckle down and confront a commanding officer as a young recruit is an arduous decision. Even graver is the challenge when you’re the lone Jewish warrior in Germany’s army, navigating relationships with comrades who served under the Nazis during the horrendous World War II.

Michael Fürst, a Jewish recruit in the German Army in 1966, recalls the sharp lashes of anti-Semitic remarks he endured, slashing deep into his memory. Although Fürst is doubtful about the necessity for a multitude of military rabbis considering relatively few Jewish soldiers, he welcomes the inception of chaplaincy as a significant leap forward. Today, there are about 300 Jewish serving personnel in the Bundeswehr, Germany’s armed forces.

Contrarily, a 24-year-old German air force technician dubbed Johannes sees an intertwining collaboration between Jewish teachings and Bundeswehr’s ethos. Deciding his dual identity, he embraced his German and Jewish sides, underscoring a feeling many young Germans harbor about their nation’s military history.

Anne, a Jewish convert during her teens, staunchly intended to join the Bundeswehr. She poured over the founding values to craft persuasive arguments against any potential resistance. Despite the shocking reaction from her counterparts, Anne upheld her conviction to protect the tenets of human rights and democracy.

The past still materializes in pockets of the institution. Advanced into the digital age, anti-Semitic remarks surfed on secret online channels among soldiers in 2020. Moreover, appalling Nazi mementos were discovered in military barracks. It manifestly shows that the specter of anti-Semitism is far from being vanquished completely in the Bundeswehr.

In 2019, an accord between Germany’s Central Council of Jews and the Ministry of Defense introduced a Jewish chaplaincy into the Bundeswehr. This chaplaincy, catering to the religious and spiritual needs of Jewish serving personnel, marks a long overdue return; the Bundeswehr’s Jewish chaplaincy tradition discontinued post World War I only to revive now.

In 2021, Zsolt Balla, a native Hungarian Jew, stepped into the role of spiritual lead of the chaplaincy. His presence in the Bundeswehr underscores not only Germany’s attempts to make amends for its past but also its societal evolution concerning Jews. Throughout this process, a consensus emerges that the lingering past must not lead to paralysis and stagnation. Such developments could be vital in handling the anti-Semitism issue.

The Jews serving in the Bundeswehr today, aware of their unique identities, have been stalwart in the face of skepticism and derision. Interlacing their faith and duty, they sketch out a fitting narrative of defiance and resilience. Michael Fürst, pushing through the reprehensible flames of his captain’s Holocaust denial and proudly bearing his dual German and Jewish identity, embodies this very defiance.

Jewish chaplaincy, as a newly woven fabric of the Bundeswehr, could be key to building empathy within its ranks. It also forms pathways of dialogue and understanding for those unfamiliar with Judaism. Ultimately, the stories of Michael Fürst, Anne, Johannes and others are reminders that, despite challenges ahead, the Bundeswehr’s mantle can be taken up by unlikely hands. Together, these tales form the narrative of a new generation defining their roles in their nation’s defense regardless of their faith or historical baggage.