There is going to be a gap of several years in our ability to measure the thickness of ice at the top and bottom of the world, scientists are warning.

The only two satellites dedicated to observing the poles are almost certain to die before replacements are flown.

This could leave us blind to some important changes in the Arctic and the Antarctic as the climate warms.

The researchers have raised their concerns with the European Commission and the European Space Agency.

A letter detailing the problem - and possible solutions - was sent to leading EC and Esa officials this week; and although the US space agency (Nasa) has not formally been addressed, it has been made aware of the correspondence.

Gregory Daco, Oxford Economics Chief U.S. Economist, In early November he wrote, “The U.S. Recovery Tracker posted its third consecutive decline in the week ended Oct. 23, falling 0.6 points to 79.4. The dangerous cocktail of surging Covid-19 infections and fading fiscal support led to a visible slowdown in economic activity in October, with the tracker falling to its lowest level in 10 weeks.”. Daco also tracks the recovery in Europe and not surprisingly its pattern tracks the U.S. very closely. While Europe wouldn’t be expected to give a big assist to the U.S., having another large region of the globe faltering is not helpful.

China has been the global oil market’s lifeline this year to increasing purchases from major oil-producing countries in recent weeks, said Reuters in its Nov 19 story Global Crude Market Finds Support Mainly from China Demand.

In the first three quarters of this year, China imported 416 million tons of crude oil, a surge of 12.7 percent over the same period of last year, according to official data. Reuters predicted that the country’s imports will reach 12 million barrels per day next year.

Ideas like telehealth, virtual delivery of products, virtual team meetings, and associated tasks, and purchasing cars online are the new future. In a recent interview, with the CMO of Cadillac, Deborah Wahl. She talked about 70%+ of shopping for Cadillacs were happening over zoom with the representative. A car purchase is one of the most expensive decisions any household will make. 

Think about how viewing homes, the most expensive decision we all make, is being done in this higher converged world.