【推荐2】Alaska's Arctic is experiencing surprising changes with the effects of climate change occurring at twice the rate of the rest of the world. Significant loss of sea ice from a warming climate is one example of this change. Polar bears rely on sea ice — their primary habitat — to hunt seals, which are their primary food source. In certain regions of the Arctic, loss of sea ice has sharply reduced the ability of polar bears to hunt for seals, and it has resulted in polar bears coming to shore to look for food and den in greater numbers.

There are 19 polar bear populations throughout the circumpolar Arctic, two of which include the Chukchi and Southern Beaufort Sea Populations. The Southern Beaufort Sea population is considered the most endangered on the planet, and Defenders has prioritized our polar bear work to focus on this population.

Defenders has a multi-pronged approach to protecting the Southern Beaufort Sea population of polar bears. We are working to protect its critical habitat, minimize climate change effects and reduce human-polar bear conflicts. To reduce human-polar bear conflicts, we promote and support a variety of coexistence measures, including the use of polar bear-proof food storage lockers and polar bear patrols in Arctic communities that use non-lethal hazing   and deterrence measures as a first line of defense.

The Southern Beaufort Sea population of polar bears has experienced such a dramatic rate of decline in the past few decades that it's possible that this population could be extinct within our lifetime. Clearly strong measures are needed to limit greenhouse gas emissions to lessen the effects of climate change and slow the loss of sea ice.

In the case of the Southern Beaufort Sea population of polar bears, in addition to reducing climate impacts, we need to continue to work to reduce human-polar bear conflicts so that community residents remain safe and fewer of these polar bears are lost to “defense of life and property” kills. Defenders is grateful to be able to work with Arctic communities, families and residents to do what we can't to ensure community safety and preserve and ultimately recover this polar bear population.

【推荐3】Each dog is an individual and will have variances in their personality, meaning that there is no guarantee that the puppy you bring home will be a perfect fit. These are our best recommendations.

Australian Shepherd

Contrary to their name, the Australian Shepherd is actually an American kind. If you are planning to keep larger animals on your homestead, having a shepherd dog to help you control them is a must. Australian Shepherds are quick, light on their feet and highly intelligent.

This rapid intelligence also makes them excellent at trick training if you ever want to branch out and teach them to do other things.

American Labrador

Their love of the outdoors combined with their happy-go-lucky personalities makes them a great match for the homestead lifestyle, which makes them suitable for the elderly at home.

Though they have a love of chasing, Labradors make a great homestead dog as they have a very low chase drive. This means they are incredibly unlikely to chase and injure your animals.

Mastiff

Though they are not as intelligent as some of other kinds on this list, having a Mastiff on your homestead can act as a deterrent (威慑作用) for others. Providing a shelter for your mastiff-type dog to stay outside with your animals will cause any stealers to think twice before entering your property.

Great Pyrenees

Great Pyrenes have a very little desire to dig, so your vegetable patches are safe.

Equally, they have little desire to chase, and so your domestic animals are safe. Their naturally protective nature means they are happy to work as guard dogs, protecting all of them from stealers.

【推荐1】Long lines at security checkpoints, tiny plastic cups of drink, small bags of biscuit, planes full of passengers, fees attached to every service—all reflect the realities of 21st century commercial air travel. It’s no wonder that many travelers have become nostalgic (怀旧) for the so-called “golden age” of air travel in the United States.

During the 1950s, airlines promoted commercial air travel; airline hostesses served full meals on real china, airline seats were large and frequently empty with enough legroom, and passengers were always dressed well.

After jets were introduced in the late 1950s, passengers could travel to even the most distant locations at speeds unimaginable a decade before. An airline trip from New York to London that could take up to 15 hours in the early 1950s could be made in less than seven hours by the early 1960s.

But the good memory of airline in that time can be tricky, and “golden ages” are seldom as beautiful as they seem. Until the introduction of jets in 1958, most of the nation’s commercial planes were propeller-driven (螺旋桨驱动) aircraft. Most of these planes were unpressurized, and with a maximum cruising (巡航) altitude of 10,000 to 12,000 feet, they were unable to fly over bad weather. Delays were frequent, turbulence (气流) was common, and air sickness bags were often needed. For much of this period, the old saying “Time to spare, go by air” still rang true.

Through the 1930s and into the 1940s, almost everyone flew first class. Airlines did encourage more people to fly in the 1950s and 1960s by introducing coach or tourist fares, but the savings were relative: less expensive than first class, but still pricey. Although the invention of jets did result in lower fares, the cost was still out of reach of most Americans.

After visiting family in Rutland, Tay, together with her three-year-old son and his “favourite companion”, a cuddly toy monkey, caught the train to go back to their home in Bristol.

As they switched trains at Birmingham New Street station, Tay realized that the monkey had been left behind. Her son, she said, was heartbroken.

“He just burst into tears,” Tay said. “He just kept asking ’Where’s my monkey?’ I told him ‘it’s just like playing hide and seek’ and reassured him that lots of kind people were looking for the monkey and the postman would send it back.”

Tay called Network Rail but it was too late, and the CrossCountry train had already left the station. Tay was not hopeful about a reunion but the monkey was a gift to her son on the day he was born, so she passed its sentimental (情感的) value to the train staff.

As she and her disappointed son made their way home, staff at various train companies worked together to track down the toy. They managed to locate the monkey. Tay was kept informed of the progress and told that, as it was by then too late that day, the monkey would be kept overnight in the Lost and Found at Birmingham. Determined to give the monkey a comfortable stay, staff at the station found it a hand-knitted sweater that had been previously used as a Christmas decoration. Next morning, the monkey, which usually slept with its owner every night, was on an early train from Birmingham to Bristol, where Tay was waiting.

“I collected it on my bicycle and brought it home. I just said to my son ’guess what I’ve got for you’ and pulled it out my bag. ” She added that the monkey’s new sweater had been a “lovely surprise” and the railway logo on there reminded them of the journey it made.

In total, four train companies helped the monkey home and it covered an extra 619 miles. Tay said, “The monkey’s been with my son ever since and we are keeping it close, so no more adventures for it in the future.”