Wayne O. Overton Blog: February 2017

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

The (ongoing) trouble with travel distribution: Customer experience

Companies that can solve real customer needs, including through partnerships with other members of the travel ecosystem, will position themselves at the vanguard of travel distribution, says McKinsey & Company.

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The (ongoing) trouble with travel distribution: Customer experience

TripAdvisor is being massively outspent by its biggest rivals

As it tries to compete with Expedia, Priceline and others to become a leading hotel-booking site, TripAdvisor faces a dilemma that numerous competitors have faced before - getting massively outspent in marketing.

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Drop in US interest revealed by Kayak search data

Searches for 2017 holiday flights to key US destinations have "fallen off a cliff", according to new research. As a result, average prices for hotel rooms in Las Vegas have dropped on average 39%, in San Francisco by 34% and New York by 32%.

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TripAdvisor: UK room rates set for sharp fall

TripAdvisor has announced the results of its 2017 Hotel Pricing Report, revealing UK hotel room rates will be significantly cheaper in 2017 compared to 2016.

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Hotel CEOs aren’t slowing down their push for direct bookings

Now, with a year's worth of data to rely on, most hotel CEOs seem more confident than ever in the ability for their direct booking strategies to have an impact on bookings.

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New Skift Research Report: A deep dive into Facebook’s impact on travel

Facebook's ability to retarget consumers combined with the ads being visual, aspirational, cost-effective, and largely in-app for Facebook's massive and highly-engaged user base will make the platform an increasingly important tool for the travel industry.

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How to build success with metasearch campaigns

The most attractive feature of metasearch is how it helps generate direct-bookings. It enables hoteliers like you to develop long term customer relationship achieve better customer retention and future sales.

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TripAdvisor is being massively outspent by its biggest rivals

Drop in US interest revealed by Kayak search data

Searches for 2017 holiday flights to key US destinations have “fallen off a cliff”, according to new research. As a result, average prices for hotel rooms in Las Vegas have dropped on average 39%, in San Francisco by 34% and New York by 32%.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2mbAbjD

TripAdvisor: UK room rates set for sharp fall

Hotel CEOs aren’t slowing down their push for direct bookings

Now, with a year’s worth of data to rely on, most hotel CEOs seem more confident than ever in the ability for their direct booking strategies to have an impact on bookings.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2lUOCpM

New Skift Research Report: A deep dive into Facebook’s impact on travel

Facebook’s ability to retarget consumers combined with the ads being visual, aspirational, cost-effective, and largely in-app for Facebook’s massive and highly-engaged user base will make the platform an increasingly important tool for the travel industry.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2mbNcd6

How to build success with metasearch campaigns

Storms ahead for UK hotels that fail to get strategic with pricing

While the drop in value of the pound has made the U.K. more attractive to some markets, accountancy firm Moore Stephens cited the fact that Britons on "staycations" are likely to focus on tourism hot spots, leading to a downturn in less popular destinations.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2mJ5pLy

Storms ahead for UK hotels that fail to get strategic with pricing

While the drop in value of the pound has made the U.K. more attractive to some markets, accountancy firm Moore Stephens cited the fact that Britons on “staycations” are likely to focus on tourism hot spots, leading to a downturn in less popular destinations.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2mJ5pLy

3 Curtain Rod Alternatives

From time to time, it's good to change things up a bit. Instead of going with a traditional curtain rod, why not try one of the following alternatives for a more creative option?

Image Source: Flickr

Rod-Free Curtains
Curtains don't have to be hung with rods. Instead of using a store-bought or homemade rod, hammer a line of nails across arched and straight windows. Evenly space the nails and paint them to match the walls or the curtains. Once the paint is dry, loop the curtains over the nails or hang them with ribbons or large hooks. Another unique option is to space old door or cabinet knobs about 12 inches apart along the top of the window; use wood screws or nails to secure them in place. Cut holes in the curtains or use tab top panels and loop them over the knobs. If you're using brass or metal knobs, paint them to ensure that the curtains won't be stained should the knobs tarnish. Source: EHow

Coat Hangers
You can use coat hangers as another alternative for curtain rods. Put the coat hooks on the window frames. You can simply attach the curtain to the rods. Or, if you want something really eye-catching, you can use a ribbon to tie the openings of the curtain to the rod. This will add a whimsy appeal to your curtains. This style goes best in the living room or children's room. You can even paint the coat hangers to make it stand out or blend with the colors of the walls. Source: DoItYourself

Branching Out
Sometimes the perfect object for a lightweight drapery rod may be sitting right outside your window. Branches can make for excellent, sculptural drapery rods with a few simple do-it-yourself updates. Search for a branch with the proper length and width to fit above a window and handle the weight of the chosen drapery panel. Next, cut it to size and spray-paint it in a color which contrasts well against the wall. Lastly, secure standoffs, ready-made drapery rod brackets or L-brackets directly to the wall using plastic drywall anchors, then attach the branch with screws or bailing wire. Source: HGTV

Tell us your creative plans! We'll try our best to help you out. Contact us!

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

The post 3 Curtain Rod Alternatives appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.

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3 Curtain Rod Alternatives

from Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters http://ift.tt/2lx00Ht

3 Curtain Rod Alternatives

From time to time, it’s good to change things up a bit. Instead of going with a traditional curtain rod, why not try one of the following alternatives for a more creative option?

Image Source: Flickr

Rod-Free Curtains
Curtains don’t have to be hung with rods. Instead of using a store-bought or homemade rod, hammer a line of nails across arched and straight windows. Evenly space the nails and paint them to match the walls or the curtains. Once the paint is dry, loop the curtains over the nails or hang them with ribbons or large hooks. Another unique option is to space old door or cabinet knobs about 12 inches apart along the top of the window; use wood screws or nails to secure them in place. Cut holes in the curtains or use tab top panels and loop them over the knobs. If you’re using brass or metal knobs, paint them to ensure that the curtains won’t be stained should the knobs tarnish. Source: EHow

Coat Hangers
You can use coat hangers as another alternative for curtain rods. Put the coat hooks on the window frames. You can simply attach the curtain to the rods. Or, if you want something really eye-catching, you can use a ribbon to tie the openings of the curtain to the rod. This will add a whimsy appeal to your curtains. This style goes best in the living room or children’s room. You can even paint the coat hangers to make it stand out or blend with the colors of the walls. Source: DoItYourself

Tell us your creative plans! We’ll try our best to help you out. Contact us!

Contact:
Universal Blinds
601 – 1550 W. 10th Ave
Vancouver, V6J 1Z9
Canada
Phone: (604) 559-1988

The post 3 Curtain Rod Alternatives appeared first on Universal Blinds, Shades & Shutters.

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3 Tips for Buying Bathroom Faucets

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Having a hard time looking for faucets that best match your bathroom style? Luckily, we have some tips for buying bathroom faucets, such as: knowing the different styles, choosing the quality and matching with the number of mounting holes.

Below are 3 tips for buying bathroom faucets:

Knowing the Different Styles
Widespread: Most commonly found on pedestal sinks, widespread faucets are made for sinks with three pre-drilled holes that are 8″ apart. When purchasing a widespread faucet you'll receive three individual components: two handles and one spout.
Vessel/Single-hole: On single hole faucets, the handle is attached to the spout and is for use on a sink with 1 pre-drilled hole. If you are in the market for a vessel style faucet but have a sink with 3 pre-drilled holes, it's sometimes an option to purchase an additional deck plate to cover the existing holes on the sink. Contact the faucets manufacturer to see if that is an option before buying.
Wall-mounted: Ready for it? Wall-mounted faucets are mounted to …the wall! Normally, your water supply lines come up from the sink, but in this case they'll need to be installed into the wall. One thing to be aware of when purchasing these types of faucets is that the spout is actually long enough to reach from the wall over the sink basin.
4″ Centerset: These faucets are found on sinks with 3 holes set at 4″ apart. The components sit on a deck plate that connect the handles with the spout body, and can also be found with single handle components.
4″ Minispread: Similar to centerset, these faucets fit 4″ configurations on sinks with 3 pre-drilled holes. But instead of purchasing a faucet with a 4″ deck plate, a minispread faucet looks more like a widespread faucet with three individual components: two handles and one spout. Source: ApartmentTherapy

Choosing the Quality
You'll have to pay for it up front, but buying quality now means you won't be paying during the life (or lack thereof) of your faucet. Look for an all-brass body, as opposed to brass- or chrome-plated. And keep in mind that the tub faucet has a larger flow rate than other household faucets, which means you can't use a kitchen faucet or your tub. Bathtub faucets should have a 3/4-inch supply line, as opposed to 1/2-inch for the rest of the house. Some tubs hold up to 60 gallons of water, so you'll want a faucet that can get the job done in a timely manner. Source: HGTV

Matching with the Number of Mounting Holes
Most sinks come with mounting holes pre-drilled for faucets and accessories such as side sprays or soap dispensers. If you're keeping your original sink, you'll need to match what you have or get a base plate to cover any extra holes. The base plate sold with your new faucet can be used to cover holes in your countertop, but don't buy a faucet that requires more sink holes than your sink has; it's not a good idea to try to drill additional holes in an existing sink or countertop. Get additional information on how to best match sinks and faucets. Source: ConsumerReports

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 3 Tips for Buying Bathroom Faucets appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/2lmNNnQ

3 Tips for Buying Bathroom Faucets

Content originally published and Shared from http://perfectbath.com

Below are 3 tips for buying bathroom faucets:

Knowing the Different Styles
Widespread: Most commonly found on pedestal sinks, widespread faucets are made for sinks with three pre-drilled holes that are 8″ apart. When purchasing a widespread faucet you’ll receive three individual components: two handles and one spout.
Vessel/Single-hole: On single hole faucets, the handle is attached to the spout and is for use on a sink with 1 pre-drilled hole. If you are in the market for a vessel style faucet but have a sink with 3 pre-drilled holes, it’s sometimes an option to purchase an additional deck plate to cover the existing holes on the sink. Contact the faucets manufacturer to see if that is an option before buying.
Wall-mounted: Ready for it? Wall-mounted faucets are mounted to …the wall! Normally, your water supply lines come up from the sink, but in this case they’ll need to be installed into the wall. One thing to be aware of when purchasing these types of faucets is that the spout is actually long enough to reach from the wall over the sink basin.
4″ Centerset: These faucets are found on sinks with 3 holes set at 4″ apart. The components sit on a deck plate that connect the handles with the spout body, and can also be found with single handle components.
4″ Minispread: Similar to centerset, these faucets fit 4″ configurations on sinks with 3 pre-drilled holes. But instead of purchasing a faucet with a 4″ deck plate, a minispread faucet looks more like a widespread faucet with three individual components: two handles and one spout. Source: ApartmentTherapy

Choosing the Quality
You’ll have to pay for it up front, but buying quality now means you won’t be paying during the life (or lack thereof) of your faucet. Look for an all-brass body, as opposed to brass- or chrome-plated. And keep in mind that the tub faucet has a larger flow rate than other household faucets, which means you can’t use a kitchen faucet or your tub. Bathtub faucets should have a 3/4-inch supply line, as opposed to 1/2-inch for the rest of the house. Some tubs hold up to 60 gallons of water, so you’ll want a faucet that can get the job done in a timely manner. Source: HGTV

Matching with the Number of Mounting Holes
Most sinks come with mounting holes pre-drilled for faucets and accessories such as side sprays or soap dispensers. If you’re keeping your original sink, you’ll need to match what you have or get a base plate to cover any extra holes. The base plate sold with your new faucet can be used to cover holes in your countertop, but don’t buy a faucet that requires more sink holes than your sink has; it’s not a good idea to try to drill additional holes in an existing sink or countertop. Get additional information on how to best match sinks and faucets. Source: ConsumerReports

Contact:
Perfect Bath
Phone: Toll Free 1-866-843-1641
Calgary, Alberta
Email: info@perfectbath.com

The post 3 Tips for Buying Bathroom Faucets appeared first on Perfect Bath Canada.

from Perfect Bath Canada http://ift.tt/2lmNNnQ

Parc East – by Trillium Development

Coming soon to Port Coquitlam is Park East by Trillium Developments. Park East will be centrally located on the corner of Atkins and Shaughnessy, a short walk to the Main Village with its all it shops and services, as well as the West Coast Express.

Park East will be consist of 57 condos consisting of one bedroom, one bedroom plus den, two bedroom, or two bedroom plus den, with size ranging from 446 square feet to 1077 square feet. Each suite at Parc East will be designed with quartz counters, stainless steel appliances, and large islands in the Kitchen, with laminate flooring throughout.

Amenities include a gym, furnished amenity room that includes a lounge area with kitchenette, and an outdoor entertaining space, as well as outdoor play area for the kids (little kids, not the big kids, thats what the lounge is for 🙂

Sales expected to start in the late winter of 2017 or early Spring with price to starting the mid 200’s. Register with us to be kept up to date with floor plans, and vip sales.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Parc East – by Trillium Development appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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The Arden

The Arden is coming soon to Port Coquitlam The Arden will be a boutique building with just 22 executive size suites with Quartz countertop, stainless steel appliances and laminate flooring. The Arden will sure be a great spot for first timers or down-sizers.

Pricing is expected to be:

1 bedroom from high $200’s

1 bedroom + dens from Low $300’s

2 bedroom 1 bathrooms from Mid to high $300’s

2 bedroom 2 bathroom over $400,000

Completion anticipated to be Fall of 2017. Previews start soon, register with us today to get access to this development and many others

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post The Arden appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2lU4XuS

Parc East – by Trillium Development

Sales expected to start in the late winter of 2017 or early Spring with price to starting the mid 200's. Register with us to be kept up to date with floor plans, and vip sales.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Parc East – by Trillium Development appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2mqzkMH

The Arden

Pricing is expected to be:

1 bedroom from high $200's

1 bedroom + dens from Low $300's

2 bedroom 1 bathrooms from Mid to high $300's

2 bedroom 2 bathroom over $400,000

Completion anticipated to be Fall of 2017. Previews start soon, register with us today to get access to this development and many others

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post The Arden appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2lU4XuS

Dive Site: The MV Captain Keith Tibbetts

Unseasonal winds made for a choppy sea and uncomfortable ride to the dive site. It was obvious how boats could run aground on Cayman's barrier reef in these conditions. But on our recent visit to the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, it was a different story once we were underwater. The calm enfolded us as the broken frigate's shape loomed out of the blue. Once-threatening guns now invited me to explore one of Cayman's most iconic dive sites.

Cayman Brac, known locally as "the Brac," (pronounced Brack) is the second-largest of the three Cayman Islands. Largest in size and population is Grand Cayman; smallest is Little Cayman, also a great dive destination. The Brac is named for the bluff that's the highest point in all of Cayman. At only 140 feet, it's not even as high as many of the cruise ships that visit Grand Cayman, but it is popular for land activities such as hiking and rock climbing. At 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and within sight of Little Cayman, visitors can only reach Cayman Brac via small plane (or a long boat ride). The trip is worth it, though. There are almost as many dive sites as permanent residents, and one of the very best is the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts.

Diving the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts

On the northwest side of the Brac, also reachable via boat from Little Cayman, lies the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts. The Soviet Union built this 330-foot-long Koni II class frigate in 1984 for the Cuban Navy. The Cayman Islands government purchased it for tourism and scuttled it off the shore of the Brac in 1996. It was renamed the MV Captain Keith Tibbets after a local dive operator.

Although you can reach the wreck via a long surface swim of about 200 yards (183 m) on a calm day, it's far easier to hop on a dive boat. Depart from Cayman Brac Beach Resort or Southern Cross Club if you're staying on Little Cayman.

There are diving buoys fore-and-aft on the wreck, with 85 feet (26 m) of depth at the bow and 60 feet (18 m) at the stern. The conning tower reaches up to the shallows, and offers a good place to work your way up to a safety stop. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 caused massive damage on the land, and also tore the Tibbetts in two, scattering a lot of debris. Old wiring and parts dispersed by the hurricane make it seem like the wreck met a dramatic end, rather than a planned scuttling.

Sights on the Wreck

The turret guns remain in place and make for great photos. We didn't penetrate the wreck, focusing instead on the outside. There are several safe entry points for experienced wreck divers, but use caution and don't attempt penetration without proper gear and experience. The wreck has only been underwater for 20 years, but the sea life is quite well established. You can also see coral growth on the reef wall just off the bow, and there's a friendly resident goliath grouper.

Visibility in Cayman is usually excellent. When we dived the Tibbetts you could easily see 100 feet (30 m) along the wreck. The depth of the foredeck means, however, that you'll lose most of the color. Hurricane season runs from July to November, although there can be some great summer diving with the pressure flattening the water. The most popular time to visit is in March and April. May and November can be quite wet. Water temperatures range from 76 to 82 (24 to 27 C) degrees year-round. A 3mm to 5mm wetsuit should be plenty for most divers.

By guest author Jez Snead

The post Dive Site: The MV Captain Keith Tibbetts appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/2m2XHPm

Dive Site: The MV Captain Keith Tibbetts

Unseasonal winds made for a choppy sea and uncomfortable ride to the dive site. It was obvious how boats could run aground on Cayman’s barrier reef in these conditions. But on our recent visit to the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts, it was a different story once we were underwater. The calm enfolded us as the broken frigate’s shape loomed out of the blue. Once-threatening guns now invited me to explore one of Cayman’s most iconic dive sites.

Cayman Brac, known locally as “the Brac,” (pronounced Brack) is the second-largest of the three Cayman Islands. Largest in size and population is Grand Cayman; smallest is Little Cayman, also a great dive destination. The Brac is named for the bluff that’s the highest point in all of Cayman. At only 140 feet, it’s not even as high as many of the cruise ships that visit Grand Cayman, but it is popular for land activities such as hiking and rock climbing. At 90 miles northeast of Grand Cayman and within sight of Little Cayman, visitors can only reach Cayman Brac via small plane (or a long boat ride). The trip is worth it, though. There are almost as many dive sites as permanent residents, and one of the very best is the wreck of the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts.

Diving the MV Captain Keith Tibbetts

Although you can reach the wreck via a long surface swim of about 200 yards (183 m) on a calm day, it’s far easier to hop on a dive boat. Depart from Cayman Brac Beach Resort or Southern Cross Club if you’re staying on Little Cayman.

Sights on the Wreck

The turret guns remain in place and make for great photos. We didn’t penetrate the wreck, focusing instead on the outside. There are several safe entry points for experienced wreck divers, but use caution and don’t attempt penetration without proper gear and experience. The wreck has only been underwater for 20 years, but the sea life is quite well established. You can also see coral growth on the reef wall just off the bow, and there’s a friendly resident goliath grouper.

Visibility in Cayman is usually excellent. When we dived the Tibbetts you could easily see 100 feet (30 m) along the wreck. The depth of the foredeck means, however, that you’ll lose most of the color. Hurricane season runs from July to November, although there can be some great summer diving with the pressure flattening the water. The most popular time to visit is in March and April. May and November can be quite wet. Water temperatures range from 76 to 82 (24 to 27 C) degrees year-round. A 3mm to 5mm wetsuit should be plenty for most divers.

By guest author Jez Snead

The post Dive Site: The MV Captain Keith Tibbetts appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/2m2XHPm

Hotels finding fitness areas get scant use

New Cornell research shows that while hotels continue to invest money in fitness space and equipment, fewer guests are spending the time to use it.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2ltpllG

Google testing new mobile Local Finder

The Google iPhone Search App is often a proving ground for large scale tests that precede rollouts to browser based mobile search.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2l7kiuQ

TravelClick launches innovative new Guest Manager feature

In an increasingly digital and mobile world where consumers rely heavily on their smartphones, TravelClick has launched a new Guest Messenger feature, which is integrated into TravelClick's Guest Management Solutions.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2m6rnLN

HeBS Digital opens Singapore office; brings ‘Book Direct’ footprint into Asia Pacific region

The office in Singapore is in addition to HeBS Digital's Australia and New Zealand office, which opened a year ago, and supports the firm's growth into the region, increasing its ability to help hoteliers in Asia Pacific invest smartly in their direct booking strategy.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2lj6Uz1

Hotels finding fitness areas get scant use

New Cornell research shows that while hotels continue to invest money in fitness space and equipment, fewer guests are spending the time to use it.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2ltpllG

Google testing new mobile Local Finder

The Google iPhone Search App is often a proving ground for large scale tests that precede rollouts to browser based mobile search.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2l7kiuQ

TravelClick launches innovative new Guest Manager feature

In an increasingly digital and mobile world where consumers rely heavily on their smartphones, TravelClick has launched a new Guest Messenger feature, which is integrated into TravelClick’s Guest Management Solutions.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2m6rnLN

HeBS Digital opens Singapore office; brings ‘Book Direct’ footprint into Asia Pacific region

The office in Singapore is in addition to HeBS Digital’s Australia and New Zealand office, which opened a year ago, and supports the firm’s growth into the region, increasing its ability to help hoteliers in Asia Pacific invest smartly in their direct booking strategy.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2lj6Uz1

Priceline reports huge surge in hotel bookings

The Priceline Group reported better-than-expected quarterly earnings, powered mainly by a rise in hotel reservations, with travelers booking 129.7 million nights during the quarter, an increase of 31% from the prior year.

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Airbnb’s troubles in Spain grow alongside greater use

2016 was a banner year for Airbnb in Spain. But the company's future in Spain looks less rosy as local governments up their efforts to control its impact on local housing markets.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2ltL7W6

Ctrip Corporate Travel highlights new travel management strategy

With the tagline of "TM+: a transformation of the business travel ecosystem", well-known firms across the business travel ecosystem met in Beijing last week to discuss current industry trends, with an aim of promoting service upgrades.

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Nightly combines hotel bookings to save money

When you book an individual hotel, some nights of your stay might be more expensive than others, increasing your total price. Nightly's algorithm compares all combinations of stays across two hotels, finding the most cost-effective way to split a hotel stay.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2ltL5NY

Priceline reports huge surge in hotel bookings

Airbnb’s troubles in Spain grow alongside greater use

2016 was a banner year for Airbnb in Spain. But the company’s future in Spain looks less rosy as local governments up their efforts to control its impact on local housing markets.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2ltL7W6

Ctrip Corporate Travel highlights new travel management strategy

Nightly combines hotel bookings to save money

Monday, February 27, 2017

Brooklynn

Much like Maplewood Village and Lions Gate Village, Lynn Creek/Seylynn is undergoing a transformation into a walkable, transit oriented hub. Brooklynn by Wanson Developments will be the next development to come up in the Lynn Creek/Seymour Village centre. Brooklynn will be a mixed use building consisting of ground floor retail and 63 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom condos.

More information and sales are expected to be released in March of 2017, register with us today to be kept up to date on this development and may others like it coming to the North Shore.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Brooklynn appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2limGu2

Brooklynn

More information and sales are expected to be released in March of 2017, register with us today to be kept up to date on this development and may others like it coming to the North Shore.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Brooklynn appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2limGu2

Cedar Reach at Maplewood

After the very successful development of Loden Green by Guildford Developments and Maplewood Place by Anthem, as well as the Northwood Estates Rental suite and shopping centre, Maplewood Villages is rapidly becoming a hot spot in North Vancouver. Cedar Reach is the newest development coming soon to the area. Cedar Reach will be modern collection of homes featuring 163 One, Two, and Three bedroom homes in the heart of Maplewood Village. Within a short stroll to Northwood Shopping centre, including Strong’s Market, Deep Cove Brewing. banking and liquor store, Cedar Reach will be designed with West Coast architecture and storage space for all your gear to fully enjoy the outdoors its surrounded by.

If you’d like to receive more information on this development or any other coming to the North Shore, register with us today to be kept up to date.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Cedar Reach at Maplewood appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

from Buildings – Vancouver New Condos http://ift.tt/2lZYIrg

Cedar Reach at Maplewood

After the very successful development of Loden Green by Guildford Developments and Maplewood Place by Anthem, as well as the Northwood Estates Rental suite and shopping centre, Maplewood Villages is rapidly becoming a hot spot in North Vancouver. Cedar Reach is the newest development coming soon to the area. Cedar Reach will be modern collection of homes featuring 163 One, Two, and Three bedroom homes in the heart of Maplewood Village. Within a short stroll to Northwood Shopping centre, including Strong's Market, Deep Cove Brewing. banking and liquor store, Cedar Reach will be designed with West Coast architecture and storage space for all your gear to fully enjoy the outdoors its surrounded by.

If you'd like to receive more information on this development or any other coming to the North Shore, register with us today to be kept up to date.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Cedar Reach at Maplewood appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Belle Isle by Citimark Developments

Lions Gate Village was approved under the new OCP a couple years ago, we are now seeing the changes coming with Park West slated to begin sales in the coming months, as well as Larco's rental community, but Belle Isle will be the first ground oriented townhome development, when all phases are completed will include 164, 1, 2

, and 3 bedroom townhomes and garden flats.

Belle Isle will be centrally located in a new community within walking distance of Park Royal, a 15 minute drive to downtown and quick access to bus routes directly downtown, or anywhere on the North Shore

To be kept up to date on this development or any on the North Shore register with us today.

E. & O. E. This is not an offering for sale. An offering for sale may only be made after filing a Disclosure Statement under the Real Estate Development Marketing Act

The post Belle Isle by Citimark Developments appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Belle Isle by Citimark Developments

Lions Gate Village was approved under the new OCP a couple years ago, we are now seeing the changes coming with Park West slated to begin sales in the coming months, as well as Larco’s rental community, but Belle Isle will be the first ground oriented townhome development, when all phases are completed will include 164, 1, 2

, and 3 bedroom townhomes and garden flats.

To be kept up to date on this development or any on the North Shore register with us today.

The post Belle Isle by Citimark Developments appeared first on Vancouver New Condos.

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Hotel and mobile boost OTA online bookings

U.S. OTAs continue their upward climb and have increased their share of the total travel market. Bolstered mainly by hotel and mobile, OTA online bookings are now growing faster than suppliers', which are on a downward trend.

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Why GDS will remain a crucial booking channel for hoteliers in 2017 and beyond

According to Phocuswright’s latest U.S. Online Travel Overview, despite the growth of online booking, offline sales will continue to dominate the marketplace in 2017. GDS bookings increased by 11.6 percent year over year from 2015 to 2016 in a sample of over 6,000 hotels worldwide.

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Trivago shrugs off new competition from Priceline, TripAdvisor

Trivago isn’t concerned about competitive threats from rivals TripAdvisor and Priceline Group, as the market is still big enough for everyone to grow. Sales are expected to increase 45% to around 1.1 billion euros in 2017, the Germany-based company said Friday.

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Flight bookings to the US have slumped worldwide since Trump travel ban

Donald Trump's travel ban resulted in a worldwide 6.5 percent drop in the number of airline bookings for travelers headed to the United States. Tourists from the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia have been less inclined to book a ticket to the US.

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Hyatt shows social responsibility with new loyalty program

Hyatt Hotels launched World of Hyatt, Hyatt's new global platform grounded in the simple idea that a little understanding goes a long way.

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How booking.com managed to ditch its annual performance review

Within its self-steering teams, Booking.com found that without a formal manager or HR-led structure, its employees weren't receiving feedback from their peers. It moved to change that.

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Webinar: How airlines, hotels and OTAs compete on the web

The battle for online market share between travel suppliers and intermediaries is nothing short of fierce. Join Phocuswright and ADARA on Wednesday, March 1, 2017, at 12:00 pm EST, as they explore key online traffic trends and traveler behavior in the U.S.

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Who cares about revenue management?

The role of a revenue strategist has evolved greatly. The revenue manager is no longer a team of one, relegated to a dark office in the corner.

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Top Five Underwater Drones

Drones are coming to a sea near you. After the last few years' advances in underwater digital imaging and videography, the next big thing is likely to be remote-controlled underwater drones.

The technology is already there, with professional salvagers and underwater explorers using remotely-operated robots for some time now. But the technology has thus far been prohibitively expensive, and has required quite a lot of skill and training to operate. But prices have dropped with this new generation of consumer drones, and usability is quite high. So take your pick — we're counting down five of the best underwater drones.

OpenROV Trident

This drone is the layman's version of a professional ROV, communications tether and all. But where professional ROVs can run up to $20,000, this one comes in between $1499 and $2000. Users control the unit topside using a smartphone or tablet. A built-in HD camera and up to 330 feet (100 m) of tether allow you to capture high-def video at depth. Shipping starts later this year; pre-orders are open now.

Maximum depth: Up to 330 feet (100 m), depending on tether
Autonomous: No
Camera: Onboard 1080 HD
Price: $1499 and up
Available: Pre-order available; launch expected mid-2017
More information here

Fathom ONE

Closely related to the Trident is the Fathom ONE. This one also utilizes a tether and wireless controls using Android or iOS devices. The price tag is lower, though, with the Fathom ONE having a retail price of only $600. The drone does have a depth-limit of 150 feet, however. The drone has backing through Kickstarter, but you can pre-order one on their website, with delivery expected in July 2017.

Maximum depth: Up to 150 feet (46 m)
Autonomous: No
Camera: Onboard 1080 HD
Price: $599
Available: Kickstarter campaign running; pre-order available; launch expected July 2017
More information here

Deep Trekker DTG2

Another consumer drone that emulates a professional one, the DTG2 claims to be one of the easiest to maneuver. It also boasts up to eight hours of battery life (compared to one hour for the Fathom ONE). The DTG2 is part of a product line, so you can pick the one that suits your needs. The basic model, called the DTG2 Starter, will take you to 165 feet (50 m) with its tether and features a 700 ppi camera. The advanced model, the DTG2 Smart, sports a 246-foot tether (75 m) and features such as depth and pitch sensors. Prices are steep, though — up to $10,000 for the Smart drone.

Maximum depth: Up to 490 feet (150 m) depth rating for the DTG2 Smart
Autonomous: No
Camera: Onboard 700 HD
Price: From $3,899 to $10,000
Available: Now
More information here

iBubble

The first truly autonomous of the underwater drones on the list, the iBubble is the first one developed specifically for scuba divers. About the size of a lifeguard's flotation device, the iBubble will quite literally follow you around like a dog on your dive, recording not just the dive site, but also you and your buddies as well. The operator wears a bracelet so the iBubble knows who to follow. You can also use the bracelet to call the drone to you if you want to use it as a camera, or if you need to surface. The drone can move up to 80 feet (25 m) away from divers.

An optional tether is available for surface-based real-time video. Interchangeable, rechargeable batteries (rather than permanently built-in ones) mean you can use the drone on repetitive dives; each battery lasts about an hour. The company behind the iBubble is currently running an Indiegogo campaign.

Maximum depth: Up to 197 feet (60 m)
Autonomous: Yes
Camera: No, but GoPro compatible
Price: $2,599 retail; $1,999 on Indiegogo
Available: Expected May 2018
More information here

Loon Copter

A team from Oakland University in California developed the Loon Copter, by far the most futuristic of this group of underwater drones. It's the Navy SEAL (SEa, Air, Land) of drones: an aerial drone capable of diving and swimming. The design closely resembles a traditional airborne drone, with four propellers giving it lift and helping it take off, fly and hover. But submerse it in water, and something crazy happens: it turns on its side and uses the propellers to start maneuvering underwater. The Loon Copter is the one-stop-shop drone that allows you to capture above-water footage of hikes or boat trips and then transition, within a single film, to underwater footage.

It is untethered, but does need a pilot. This does limit range, particularly underwater. The third version of the prototype won the Drones for Good exhibition in Dubai in 2016, but there's no news yet of when, or if, there will be a commercially available version.

Maximum depth: Unknown
Autonomous: No, but untethered
Camera: Yes, but specs are unknown
Price: Unknown
Available: Unknown
More information here

The post Top Five Underwater Drones appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Top Five Underwater Drones

Drones are coming to a sea near you. After the last few years’ advances in underwater digital imaging and videography, the next big thing is likely to be remote-controlled underwater drones.

The technology is already there, with professional salvagers and underwater explorers using remotely-operated robots for some time now. But the technology has thus far been prohibitively expensive, and has required quite a lot of skill and training to operate. But prices have dropped with this new generation of consumer drones, and usability is quite high. So take your pick — we’re counting down five of the best underwater drones.

OpenROV Trident

This drone is the layman’s version of a professional ROV, communications tether and all. But where professional ROVs can run up to $20,000, this one comes in between $1499 and $2000. Users control the unit topside using a smartphone or tablet. A built-in HD camera and up to 330 feet (100 m) of tether allow you to capture high-def video at depth. Shipping starts later this year; pre-orders are open now.

Fathom ONE

Deep Trekker DTG2

Maximum depth: Up to 490 feet (150 m) depth rating for the DTG2 Smart
Autonomous: No
Camera: Onboard 700 HD
Price: From $3,899 to $10,000
Available: Now
More information here

iBubble

The first truly autonomous of the underwater drones on the list, the iBubble is the first one developed specifically for scuba divers. About the size of a lifeguard’s flotation device, the iBubble will quite literally follow you around like a dog on your dive, recording not just the dive site, but also you and your buddies as well. The operator wears a bracelet so the iBubble knows who to follow. You can also use the bracelet to call the drone to you if you want to use it as a camera, or if you need to surface. The drone can move up to 80 feet (25 m) away from divers.

Maximum depth: Up to 197 feet (60 m)
Autonomous: Yes
Camera: No, but GoPro compatible
Price: $2,599 retail; $1,999 on Indiegogo
Available: Expected May 2018
More information here

Loon Copter

A team from Oakland University in California developed the Loon Copter, by far the most futuristic of this group of underwater drones. It’s the Navy SEAL (SEa, Air, Land) of drones: an aerial drone capable of diving and swimming. The design closely resembles a traditional airborne drone, with four propellers giving it lift and helping it take off, fly and hover. But submerse it in water, and something crazy happens: it turns on its side and uses the propellers to start maneuvering underwater. The Loon Copter is the one-stop-shop drone that allows you to capture above-water footage of hikes or boat trips and then transition, within a single film, to underwater footage.

It is untethered, but does need a pilot. This does limit range, particularly underwater. The third version of the prototype won the Drones for Good exhibition in Dubai in 2016, but there’s no news yet of when, or if, there will be a commercially available version.

Maximum depth: Unknown
Autonomous: No, but untethered
Camera: Yes, but specs are unknown
Price: Unknown
Available: Unknown
More information here

The post Top Five Underwater Drones appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Hotel and mobile boost OTA online bookings

Why GDS will remain a crucial booking channel for hoteliers in 2017 and beyond

According to Phocuswright's latest U.S. Online Travel Overview, despite the growth of online booking, offline sales will continue to dominate the marketplace in 2017. GDS bookings increased by 11.6 percent year over year from 2015 to 2016 in a sample of over 6,000 hotels worldwide.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2lXbnvh

Trivago shrugs off new competition from Priceline, TripAdvisor

Trivago isn't concerned about competitive threats from rivals TripAdvisor and Priceline Group, as the market is still big enough for everyone to grow. Sales are expected to increase 45% to around 1.1 billion euros in 2017, the Germany-based company said Friday.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2mv7QlL

Flight bookings to the US have slumped worldwide since Trump travel ban

Hyatt shows social responsibility with new loyalty program

Hyatt Hotels launched World of Hyatt, Hyatt's new global platform grounded in the simple idea that a little understanding goes a long way.

from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/2muU8PI

How booking.com managed to ditch its annual performance review

Webinar: How airlines, hotels and OTAs compete on the web

Who cares about revenue management?

The role of a revenue strategist has evolved greatly. The revenue manager is no longer a team of one, relegated to a dark office in the corner.

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Sunday, February 26, 2017

Conservation Spotlight: Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project

Dedicated to protecting dolphins since the 1970s, the Dolphin Project aims to stop dolphin hunting and captivity around the world. Today we are chatting with Christine Gau, Project Coordinator. She offers more details about the different actions led by Dolphin Project.

What is the Dolphin Project doing?

Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project has worked to protect wild and captive dolphins worldwide since 1970. We seek to end the hunting, slaughter, and live capture of dolphins for the entertainment industry. We rely on a combination of field-based projects and public-awareness initiatives.

How and why did it start?

Ric O'Barry, a former trainer for the television show Flipper, founded the organization. The Dolphin Project arose from the desire to bring the suffering of captive dolphins, forced to perform unnatural behaviors for human entertainment, to an end. After watching his favorite dolphin deteriorate and ultimately die in his arms, O'Barry realized the toll that captivity takes on the lives of marine mammals. Thenceforward he dedicated his efforts to ending dolphin captivity, and in the years since, he has advocated tirelessly for the end of captive marine-mammal entertainment.

What are the main actions and/or areas of focus?

Dolphin Project is working to end dolphin hunts in areas including Indonesia and the Solomon Islands, and to offer sustainable economic alternatives to hunting. We work within the community to increase understanding of marine protection. We have established a dolphin rehabilitation center in Indonesia for stranded and accidentally-caught dolphins. And we also work closely with government officials to provide infrastructure for enforcement of conservation regulations.

How many people are involved and what are their roles?

While our core team remains very small, Dolphin Project thrives with the support of dedicated volunteers. For six months each year, Dolphin Project staffs volunteer Cove Monitors in Taiji, Japan. Here they observe and document the dolphin slaughters that take place. The 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary, The Cove, highlights the hunts there and Ric's involvement. Raising awareness about these hunts, which supply aquariums around the world with live-caught dolphins, has been a primary objective for Ric and the team for over a decade. Fishermen sell dozens of dolphins each year and drive the remaining members of their pod to shore to be slaughtered for meat or feed.

How can people help?

Ongoing public awareness is a key objective. We endeavor to support the efforts of grassroots organizations and individuals who wish to raise awareness. One of the biggest ways people can help is by learning about and sharing information on how dolphins are captured from the wild and how they are trained to perform in aquariums. Take the pledge not to buy a ticket to a dolphin show. Don't participate in a swim-with-dolphins encounter. Ask others to do the same. Individuals can reach their own family, friends, and communities with direct communication.

By decreasing consumer demand for these exploitative forms of entertainment, we can collectively end the hunts that fuel them, and end the harmful conditions of captivity for dolphins. Please visit our website for more or donate here.

The post Conservation Spotlight: Ric O'Barry's Dolphin Project appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Conservation Spotlight: Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project

What is the Dolphin Project doing?

Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project has worked to protect wild and captive dolphins worldwide since 1970. We seek to end the hunting, slaughter, and live capture of dolphins for the entertainment industry. We rely on a combination of field-based projects and public-awareness initiatives.

How and why did it start?

Ric O’Barry, a former trainer for the television show Flipper, founded the organization. The Dolphin Project arose from the desire to bring the suffering of captive dolphins, forced to perform unnatural behaviors for human entertainment, to an end. After watching his favorite dolphin deteriorate and ultimately die in his arms, O’Barry realized the toll that captivity takes on the lives of marine mammals. Thenceforward he dedicated his efforts to ending dolphin captivity, and in the years since, he has advocated tirelessly for the end of captive marine-mammal entertainment.

What are the main actions and/or areas of focus?

How many people are involved and what are their roles?

While our core team remains very small, Dolphin Project thrives with the support of dedicated volunteers. For six months each year, Dolphin Project staffs volunteer Cove Monitors in Taiji, Japan. Here they observe and document the dolphin slaughters that take place. The 2010 Academy Award-winning documentary, The Cove, highlights the hunts there and Ric’s involvement. Raising awareness about these hunts, which supply aquariums around the world with live-caught dolphins, has been a primary objective for Ric and the team for over a decade. Fishermen sell dozens of dolphins each year and drive the remaining members of their pod to shore to be slaughtered for meat or feed.

How can people help?

Ongoing public awareness is a key objective. We endeavor to support the efforts of grassroots organizations and individuals who wish to raise awareness. One of the biggest ways people can help is by learning about and sharing information on how dolphins are captured from the wild and how they are trained to perform in aquariums. Take the pledge not to buy a ticket to a dolphin show. Don’t participate in a swim-with-dolphins encounter. Ask others to do the same. Individuals can reach their own family, friends, and communities with direct communication.

The post Conservation Spotlight: Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Saturday, February 25, 2017

Five Marine Species Threatened by Polar Climate Change

Often referred to as global warming, climate change is caused by a combination of natural and human influences. Human factors that affect climate change include deforestation, animal agriculture, ozone depletion and the massive increase in fossil-fuel consumption since the Industrial Revolution. When we burn fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, we release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases accumulate, trapping heat from the Earth’s surface and creating a significant increase in global air and sea temperatures. The effects of global warming are visible everywhere, but perhaps nowhere more so than in the Arctic and Antarctica. Polar climate change affects habitat for countless species that cannot survive elsewhere.

The most obvious impact of polar climate change is the large-scale ice melt as a consequence of rising sea temperatures. In the Arctic, when ancient permafrost thaws, it releases carbon and methane gases that have been trapped beneath the ice for millions of years. These gases add to the greenhouse effect, causing further warming and melting, and so the cycle continues. Similarly, while ice and snow reflect approximately 90 percent of the sun’s energy, open water absorbs approximately 94 percent of it. Therefore, as the ice melts and exposes more water, the polar environment absorbs more heat.

The entire ecosystem at both poles relies on the continued presence of sea ice. Polar animals, depending on the species, use the sea ice as nesting sites, a resting place or a breeding ground. Most importantly, the polar food chain is built upon the sea ice. Sea algae adheres to the underbelly of the ice, providing food for krill. This in turn provides sustenance either directly or indirectly to the entire spectrum of polar wildlife. Without ice, life in the Arctic or Antarctica would be impossible. This why climate change has the potential to wreak such devastation in these fragile regions. Here we’ll take a look at five of the marine species most threatened by polar climate change and melting ice.

Polar Bear

Conservationists often depict polar bears as the poster species for climate change in the Arctic, and for good reason. In 2014, a study carried out on polar bears in northeast Alaska and the Northwest Territories documented a 40 percent population loss between 2001 and 2010. These figures represent this species’ decline throughout its range as a direct result of disappearing sea ice. According to experts, Arctic sea ice is melting at a rate of 9 percent per decade. This puts the polar bear’s exclusive habitat in danger.

Polar bears depend on the ice as a hunting ground and as a vital resting place. The bears prey mainly on seals. They ambush the seals as they sleep on ice floes or surface through holes in the ice to breathe. The disappearance of the sea ice means that polar bears have to swim greater distances to find the seals. In 2008, the U.S. Endangered Species Act listed the polar bear as a threatened species.

Walrus

Walrus populations in the Arctic are also at risk due to imminent habitat loss. Walruses spend approximately half their life on the ice, which they use as a resting place, and as a breeding and pupping ground. Traditionally, female walruses and their calves spend the summer on the fringes of the Arctic sea ice. But in 2014, the drastic shrinking of the summer ice fields forced 35,000 walruses to haul out at Point Lay beach in Alaska instead.

On land, walruses aggregate in one spot instead of spreading out as they would on ice. The slightest disturbance can cause a stampede, in which the newborn calves are often crushed and killed. Disease spreads quickly and the accumulated filth of the impromptu walrus colony ensures that any injuries rapidly become infected. With scientists anticipating that summer sea ice could disappear completely in the near future, the horrors of the 2014 mass haul-out at Point Lay may soon become commonplace.

Greenland Shark

The Greenland shark is one of only two shark species that live in Arctic waters. Relatively little is known about this enigmatic species thanks largely to its preference for deep water. However, we do know that the Greenland shark is a predator at the top of the complex Arctic food web. If the sea ice disappears, the algae that forms the basis of that food web will also disappear, causing a collapse that will affect all species, including the Greenland shark. Another potential hazard of climate change in the Arctic is the expansion of commercial fisheries as the melting ice makes the region more accessible.

Greenland sharks have toxic flesh, so fisheries do not target them. However, because they live predominantly on the seafloor, they are susceptible to bycatch as a result of benthic trawling methods. Greenland sharks mature at a late age and have a slow rate of reproduction, making it unlikely that they could recover should overfishing become a problem.

Emperor Penguin

In 2014, a group of researchers published a study based on an emperor penguin colony at Terra Adelie in Antarctica. The study stated that by the end of the century, more than two-thirds of Antarctica’s emperor penguin colonies will have declined by at least 50 percent if climate change continues at its current rate.

Like most polar species, changes to the sea ice are triggering this decline. The ice provides crucial habitat for the emperor penguins as a breeding and nesting site. In Antarctica, shifting weather patterns have resulted in the decline of ice in some areas, and an increase of ice in other areas, both of which adversely affect the penguin colonies. If there is too much ice between their nesting site and the sea, adult penguins have to travel further to hunt and bring back food for their chicks. If there is not enough ice, the penguins risk losing their nesting sites as well as a reduction in the abundance of krill, a critical food source for this species.

Belugas

The imminent collapse of the food chain as a result of disappearing sea ice threatens beluga whales as well. As Arctic waters become increasingly navigable, fisheries and oil and gas prospectors will flock to the region. This means an exponential rise in shipping traffic. This causes a problem for belugas (and all Arctic whales), as the ships’ sonar interferes with their echolocation techniques. The melting sea ice also means that the belugas can’t use camouflage as a defense mechanism against predation.

Perhaps most seriously for the belugas, rising Arctic sea temperatures have caused the proliferation of one such predator, the killer whale. Unpredictable weather patterns associated with climate change often cause pack ice to rapidly shift and refreeze, as well, trapping the belugas underneath. The whales then congregate around small holes in the ice to breathe, where they become easy pickings for their other major predator, the polar bear.

These five species represent just a tiny fraction of the total biodiversity threatened by polar climate change. Sometimes, the sheer scale of this destruction seems overwhelming. It’s easy to feel that losing the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems is a foregone conclusion. But all is not lost. Although the Arctic ice sheet has undoubtedly diminished over the last 10 years, measurements of the ice sheet at its minimum summer extent in 2014 showed an improvement of approximately 580,000 square miles on the same measurements for 2012.

We can still win the fight to save the polar regions, and you needn’t be a scientist to help. Human activity is largely to blame for climate change, so take charge of your choices and reduce your footprint. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Stop eating meat and fish, or at least drastically curtail your consumption. Walk or bike short distances instead of driving. These actions may seem small, but if we all committed to them, the cumulative benefits for not only the polar ice, but for the entire planet, would be huge.

The post Five Marine Species Threatened by Polar Climate Change appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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Five Marine Species Threatened by Polar Climate Change

Often referred to as global warming, climate change is caused by a combination of natural and human influences. Human factors that affect climate change include deforestation, animal agriculture, ozone depletion and the massive increase in fossil-fuel consumption since the Industrial Revolution. When we burn fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas, we release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. These gases accumulate, trapping heat from the Earth's surface and creating a significant increase in global air and sea temperatures. The effects of global warming are visible everywhere, but perhaps nowhere more so than in the Arctic and Antarctica. Polar climate change affects habitat for countless species that cannot survive elsewhere.

The most obvious impact of polar climate change is the large-scale ice melt as a consequence of rising sea temperatures. In the Arctic, when ancient permafrost thaws, it releases carbon and methane gases that have been trapped beneath the ice for millions of years. These gases add to the greenhouse effect, causing further warming and melting, and so the cycle continues. Similarly, while ice and snow reflect approximately 90 percent of the sun's energy, open water absorbs approximately 94 percent of it. Therefore, as the ice melts and exposes more water, the polar environment absorbs more heat.

The entire ecosystem at both poles relies on the continued presence of sea ice. Polar animals, depending on the species, use the sea ice as nesting sites, a resting place or a breeding ground. Most importantly, the polar food chain is built upon the sea ice. Sea algae adheres to the underbelly of the ice, providing food for krill. This in turn provides sustenance either directly or indirectly to the entire spectrum of polar wildlife. Without ice, life in the Arctic or Antarctica would be impossible. This why climate change has the potential to wreak such devastation in these fragile regions. Here we'll take a look at five of the marine species most threatened by polar climate change and melting ice.

Polar Bear

Conservationists often depict polar bears as the poster species for climate change in the Arctic, and for good reason. In 2014, a study carried out on polar bears in northeast Alaska and the Northwest Territories documented a 40 percent population loss between 2001 and 2010. These figures represent this species' decline throughout its range as a direct result of disappearing sea ice. According to experts, Arctic sea ice is melting at a rate of 9 percent per decade. This puts the polar bear's exclusive habitat in danger.

Walrus

Greenland Shark

Emperor Penguin

In 2014, a group of researchers published a study based on an emperor penguin colony at Terra Adelie in Antarctica. The study stated that by the end of the century, more than two-thirds of Antarctica's emperor penguin colonies will have declined by at least 50 percent if climate change continues at its current rate.

Belugas

The imminent collapse of the food chain as a result of disappearing sea ice threatens beluga whales as well. As Arctic waters become increasingly navigable, fisheries and oil and gas prospectors will flock to the region. This means an exponential rise in shipping traffic. This causes a problem for belugas (and all Arctic whales), as the ships' sonar interferes with their echolocation techniques. The melting sea ice also means that the belugas can't use camouflage as a defense mechanism against predation.

These five species represent just a tiny fraction of the total biodiversity threatened by polar climate change. Sometimes, the sheer scale of this destruction seems overwhelming. It's easy to feel that losing the Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems is a foregone conclusion. But all is not lost. Although the Arctic ice sheet has undoubtedly diminished over the last 10 years, measurements of the ice sheet at its minimum summer extent in 2014 showed an improvement of approximately 580,000 square miles on the same measurements for 2012.

We can still win the fight to save the polar regions, and you needn't be a scientist to help. Human activity is largely to blame for climate change, so take charge of your choices and reduce your footprint. Turn off the lights when you leave a room. Stop eating meat and fish, or at least drastically curtail your consumption. Walk or bike short distances instead of driving. These actions may seem small, but if we all committed to them, the cumulative benefits for not only the polar ice, but for the entire planet, would be huge.

The post Five Marine Species Threatened by Polar Climate Change appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.

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