Building the impossible: Golden Gate Bridge

In the mid-1930s, two familiar spires towered above the morning fog. Stretching 227 meters into the sky, these 22,000-ton towers would help support California's Golden Gate Bridge.

But since they were currently in Pennsylvania, they first had to be dismantled, packaged, and shipped piece by piece over 4,500 kilometers away. Moving the bridge's towers across a continent was just one of the challengers facing Charles Ellis and Joseph Strauss, the project's lead engineers. Even before construction began, the pair faced all kinds of opposition.

The military feared the bridge would make the important harbor an even more vulnerable target. Ferry companies claimed the bridge would steal their business, and residents wanted to preserve the area's natural scenery.

Worse still, many engineers thought the project was impossible. The Golden Gate Strait was home to 96-kilometer-per-hour winds, swirling tides, an endless blanket of fog, and the earthquake-prone San Andreas fault.

But Strauss was convinced the bridge could be built; and that it would provide San Francisco's commuters more reliable passage to the city. He was, however, a bit out of his depth. Strauss's initial plans to span the strait used a cantilever bridge. This kind of bridge consists of a single beam anchored at one end and extended horizontally like a diving board.

Since these bridges can only extend so far before collapsing under their own weight, Strauss's design used two cantilevers, linked by a structure in the middle. But Ellis and his colleague Leon Moisseif convinced Strauss to pursue a different approach: the suspension bridge.

Where a cantilever bridge is supported from one end a suspension bridge suspends its deck from cables strung across the gap. The result is a more flexible structure that's resilient to winds and shifting loads.This kind of design had long been used for small rope bridges. And in the 1930s, advanced steel manufacturing could create cables of bundled wire to act as strong steel rope for large-scale construction.

At the time, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest and tallest suspension bridge ever attempted, and its design was only possible due to these innovations.

But cables and towers of this size could only be built at large steelworks on the country's east coast.

Abridged and adapted from:

https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_gender_building_the_impossible_

golden_gate_bridge/transcript).

Building the impossible: Golden Gate Bridge

In the mid-1930s, two familiar spires towered above the morning fog. Stretching 227 meters into the sky, these 22,000-ton towers would help support California's Golden Gate Bridge.

But since they were currently in Pennsylvania, they first had to be dismantled, packaged, and shipped piece by piece over 4,500 kilometers away. Moving the bridge's towers across a continent was just one of the challengers facing Charles Ellis and Joseph Strauss, the project's lead engineers. Even before construction began, the pair faced all kinds of opposition.

The military feared the bridge would make the important harbor an even more vulnerable target. Ferry companies claimed the bridge would steal their business, and residents wanted to preserve the area's natural scenery.

Worse still, many engineers thought the project was impossible. The Golden Gate Strait was home to 96-kilometer-per-hour winds, swirling tides, an endless blanket of fog, and the earthquake-prone San Andreas fault.

But Strauss was convinced the bridge could be built; and that it would provide San Francisco's commuters more reliable passage to the city. He was, however, a bit out of his depth. Strauss's initial plans to span the strait used a cantilever bridge. This kind of bridge consists of a single beam anchored at one end and extended horizontally like a diving board.

Since these bridges can only extend so far before collapsing under their own weight, Strauss's design used two cantilevers, linked by a structure in the middle. But Ellis and his colleague Leon Moisseif convinced Strauss to pursue a different approach: the suspension bridge.

Where a cantilever bridge is supported from one end a suspension bridge suspends its deck from cables strung across the gap. The result is a more flexible structure that's resilient to winds and shifting loads.This kind of design had long been used for small rope bridges. And in the 1930s, advanced steel manufacturing could create cables of bundled wire to act as strong steel rope for large-scale construction.

At the time, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest and tallest suspension bridge ever attempted, and its design was only possible due to these innovations.

But cables and towers of this size could only be built at large steelworks on the country's east coast.

Abridged and adapted from:

https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_gender_building_the_impossible_

golden_gate_bridge/transcript).

Building the impossible: Golden Gate Bridge

In the mid-1930s, two familiar spires towered above the morning fog. Stretching 227 meters into the sky, these 22,000-ton towers would help support California's Golden Gate Bridge.

But since they were currently in Pennsylvania, they first had to be dismantled, packaged, and shipped piece by piece over 4,500 kilometers away. Moving the bridge's towers across a continent was just one of the challengers facing Charles Ellis and Joseph Strauss, the project's lead engineers. Even before construction began, the pair faced all kinds of opposition.

The military feared the bridge would make the important harbor an even more vulnerable target. Ferry companies claimed the bridge would steal their business, and residents wanted to preserve the area's natural scenery.

Worse still, many engineers thought the project was impossible. The Golden Gate Strait was home to 96-kilometer-per-hour winds, swirling tides, an endless blanket of fog, and the earthquake-prone San Andreas fault.

But Strauss   the bridge  be built; and that it   provide San Francisco's commuters more reliable passage to the city. He was, however, a bit out of his depth. Strauss's initial plans to span the strait used a cantilever bridge. This kind of bridge consists of a single beam anchored at one end and extended horizontally like a diving board.

Since these bridges can only extend so far before collapsing under their own weight, Strauss's design used two cantilevers, linked by a structure in the middle. But Ellis and his colleague Leon Moisseif convinced Strauss to pursue a different approach: the suspension bridge.

Where a cantilever bridge is supported from one end a suspension bridge suspends its deck from cables strung across the gap. The result is a more flexible structure that's resilient to winds and shifting loads.This kind of design had long been used for small rope bridges. And in the 1930s, advanced steel manufacturing could create cables of bundled wire to act as strong steel rope for large-scale construction.

At the time, the Golden Gate Bridge was the longest and tallest suspension bridge ever attempted, and its design was only possible due to these innovations.

But cables and towers of this size could only be built at large steelworks on the country's east coast.

Abridged and adapted from:

https://www.ted.com/talks/alex_gender_building_the_impossible_

golden_gate_bridge/transcript).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).

There will probably be more plastic in the ocean

than fish by 2050

Marine trash has been harming marine life for a very long time. These negative effects hurt both people and animals. The International Union for Conservation of Nature estimates that people produce 300 million tonnes of plastic each year, at least 14 million of which end upin the ocean.

Although the effects of plastics on marine life have been discussed for a long time, not much has been done to help address the issue. National Geographic estimates that there are 5.25 trillion pieces of plastic trash in the ocean.

Scientists are concerned about the amount of plastic contamination as a result. Due to the amount of plastic in the water, it is now being questioned whether anything that comes out of it is suitable for human consumption. Because it impacts a lot of marine species in addition to human health, food safety, and climate change, plastic pollution in the oceans is a significant issue right now more than ever.

Microplastics are produced as a result of the degradation of plastics brought on by exposure to sunshine, weather, and other elements of nature. Animals that mistake plastic for food can easily consume microplastics. Because their bodies are unable to handle the amount of plastic being consumed, marine life is killed as a result of this mistake.

The World Wildlife Federation estimates that marine mammals affected by plastic pollution, such as turtles, seabirds, whales,fish, and dolphins, die 100,000 times per year as a result of ingestion or entanglement in plastic fishing gear. This number is likely to increase, as by 2050, there will probably be more plastic in the ocean than fish.

You can no longer label anything that emerges from the water as biological,according to Dr Jennifer Lavers, a zoologist at the University of Tasmania, who spoke with ABC Science. Fish ingest tonnes of plastic every  year, and the more plastic pollution there is, the further up the food chain you go, the more likely it is that it will reach humans, especially those who eat seafood.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature reports that Microplastics are found in tap water, beer, and salt and are present in all samples collected in the word's oceans, including the Arctic.

Because some of the chemicals used to make plastic are hazardous to humans, microplastics are now present in many items that people use on a daily basis.

Contaminated plastics that have been consumed by marine life pose health dangers to humans.

Last year, scientists published a study with unexpected results. Human blood was found to include plastic, which is not where it should be.

According to the researchers, plastic particles were discovered in 17 of the 22 anonymous, healthy adult participants' blood samples. A third of the samples had polystyrene, which is used for packaging food and other products, and half of the samples contained PET plastic, which is frequently used in beverage bottles. One-fouth of the blood samples contained polyethene, a material used to make plastic carrier bags, according to The Guardian.

This study proved that plastic is ingested by people and is found in everyday products. Scientists concur that these effects must be recognised because plastic production is only set to increase, even if there is still much to learn about the possible effects of plastic on humans.

Research has sbown that plastics affect both people and marine life, and as more knowledge is gained, individuals will be able to take action to minimise the problem of plastic pollution.

One of the easiest and most direct ways that people can help the fight against plastic pollution is to reduce their usage of single-use plastics like plastic bags, straws, and cups. By carrying about reusable versions of such products and avoiding single-use plastic, people can make little changes that, with regular use, may have significant positive benefits.

(Abridged and adapted from: https://www.marineinsight.com/

videos/wildlife-and-humankind-are-alarmingly-threatened-by-

plastic-debris).