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The Coronavirus has shuttered down factories, small industries, and transport in several countries. While this unprecedented situation poses many threats and challenges, it has definitely had a positive effect on the environment. Clear blue Delhi skies previously clouded with thick smog, and the gleaming water of Venice are clear evidence of this change.
After December 19, when the virus was first discovered in Wuhan, the life of a common-man has upended. Since people are hunkered down in their homes, a dramatic drop is observed in pollution and the emission of greenhouse gasses.
Let us have a look at some recent stats:
- The pollution rate in New York is reduced by 50%
- China experienced a 25% drop in carbon emissions at the start of 2020
- Europe's study reported fading images of Nitrogen dioxide towards Northern Italy.
- UK and Spain are also experiencing a significant drop down in carbon emissions
Let's now look at the effects of COVID-19 on the environment in more detail.
1. Improved Air Quality
Due to less pollution, the quality of the air has improved a lot. Dramatic improvements were observed in China and the USA, along with the rest of the world. According to NASA, air quality improved by 30% in the USA. One of the best researchers of air quality, Fei Liu, revealed that this much improvement in such a big area was observed for the first time in history.
Another researcher from Stanford University was of the view that the improvement in air quality will contribute to saving the life of people. Although controversial, the researcher argued that improvements in air quality can save 20% more lives as compared to the deaths caused by the virus.
2. Lower Harmful Gas Emissions
Due to slow economic conditions, emissions are controlled for the time being. China, which stands first in gas emissions, is showing a jaw-dropping decrease in carbon emissions. The reason being that production has been halted due to COVID-19, and so factories are not churning out harmful gasses in the air.
While these signs are positive, environmentalists are not too excited. According to experts, these emission rates will pick up higher than ever once the pandemic subsides. Emissions also reduced during the economic crises of 2008-2009. However, the revival of the economy increased the demand for fossil fuels even more than before.
3. No Airline Emissions
Travel restrictions are another big contributor to the decrease in carbon emissions worldwide. International travel has been restricted for more than 2 months now, and even domestic flights are far and few in between.
As compared to last year, 67 million fewer passengers have traveled in 2020. Researchers are trying to predict how worse the situation will get. The virus is not going to end soon; thus, airlines are suspended until further notice.
This sudden drop in the number of flights has directly contributed to the lower carbon emissions. However, this drop in emissions will only last until the virus lasts. When things get back to normal, traveling will resume, and carbon emissions will increase again.
4. No Traffic Emissions
Restrictions on terrestrial transportation is another big reason for reduced carbon emissions. Public transport has been greatly reduced, whereas personal vehicles are being used less frequently as people are staying at home.
The contagious disease has made it necessary for people to stay at home, work from their homes, maintain social distancing, and not visit public placing unless necessary. Therefore, these people are not using their cars, hence the low carbon emissions. Less traffic on the roads means reduced emissions and a less polluted environment.
On the other hand, home deliveries have increased considerably. Companies are offering home delivery to keep their businesses running. Along with retail, service sector companies are also going door to door. For instance, Carpet Cleaning Windsor, a cleaning service that required consumers to bring in their carpets, is now going to their homes to pick and drop carpets.
Similarly, restaurants are delivering food, grocery stores are shipping groceries, and so on. This has certainly increased the use of transport for deliveries, but still, the emissions are down because billions of people are staying at home.
Is It A Fleeting Or A Long-Lasting Change?
This clean environment came at the cost of thousands of lives, a disrupted world economy, and mental peace. Though the future is unpredictable, this pandemic will come to its end someday. Businesses will revive, travel will thrive, and economic activities will boom again.
Kimberly Nickolas, a Professor at Lund University in Sweden, argued that this change is temporary. He explained that vehicles contribute to 72% and aviation 11% to the total greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions have decreased for the time being because people are enclosed in their homes, and businesses are shut down.
While many believe that these emissions will revive again after the pandemic, Nickolas believes that the pandemic will change social behaviors permanently. He claims that people who have been doing remote work will not prefer to work from offices again. Additionally, the fear of death and habit of living with social distancing will not let people come back to their usual routine all of a sudden.
People have developed a habit of remote working, interacting through digital means, and enjoying food at home rather than dining in. They have experienced the ease and benefits of these habits. Now, it is expected that, if not all, many of us will prefer to continue with the new way of doing things.
This fact is backed by social science research conducted at a Zurich University. During the study, people who were unable to drive a car were provided an e-bike for the time being. After their recovery, they use their cars less and an e-bike more because they have found the bike to be much easier in comparison to the car.
This proves that the environment is likely to stay healthy after the revival of the economy. Researchers are optimistic about seeing less pollution in the future and hoping to continue the environment –friendly activities for the long-term.
Interestingly, 0.3% fewer global emissions are predicted to be experienced in 2020. We have never wished to have a healthy environment this way. On the one hand, the dreadful virus has taken precious lives and infected millions of people. However, on the other hand, it has shown that communities can bring a big difference in the environment if they stand firm for a united cause.
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More and more people are planning an escape during the winter months. While it may seem like the perfect way to spend your winter months. There are plenty of factors that need to be considered before you plan your travels.
Travel insurance is one of the factors. Buying travel insurance has increased drastically in the past few years. Unfortunately, the cost that comes with it has increased by a whopping 150% in only one year! To avoid the cost related to it, most people would just entirely avoid getting travel insurance altogether. But that is not the best approach as it is better to be prepared than be sorry later. So, if you are an adventurous winter traveler then here are four travel insurance tips that can be easy on your wallet.
1 – Buy Exactly What You Need
Make a list of all the coverage that you would be needing. Once you have finalized that, you should approach an insurance company. The issue with off the shelf insurances is that there are plenty of things included in it which you won’t be needing. Here is a list of insurance types that you will come across.
• Cancellation Insurance: This kind of insurance is for those who think that they might need to cancel their trip at some point. Even if you are sure about your trip, there may be some event or emergency that may cause you to cancel your trip. Canceling your trip, without insurance will cost you a lot of money.
• Delay/Interruption: The insurance related to delays will allow you to delay your trip without bearing the expenses. The trip delay insurance also covers meals and stay if your flight has been delayed.
• Insurance to Evacuate: Evacuation insurance deals within an event if you fall sick or get injured. The insurance will transport you to the choice of your medical facility anywhere in the world.
No matter what kind of insurance plan you are buying. Make sure that it has a large amount dedicated to medical care. Moreover, insurance to evacuate must also be included in the plan.
2 – Consider What You Already Have
Several things might be covered by your credit card or home insurance which include costs like your medical care and expenses such as renting out a car during your winter travels. Therefore, even before you get in touch with a travel insurance provider. Make sure of what is already been covered in your other insurance plans. In a nutshell, extra baggage and renting out a car might be covered. However, you may need insurance for high-level medical care in case you are into extreme sports.
The good news is that you will not be needing insurance for common sports like skiing, snowboarding and mountain climbing. These will automatically be covered in the standard insurance policy. Moreover, your standard plan might even be covering events like ice climbing and ice skating. Therefore, there is no need to purchase an insurance plan which is specifically covering the cost of these activities. Yes, you might be needing evacuation insurance in case you need to be evacuated someplace in case of a medical emergency. Other than that there is no need to spend your precious vacation money on such items.
3 – Purchase your Travel Insurance from an Outsider
Buying your travel insurance from an outsider doesn’t necessarily mean that you should buy it from strangers. It simply means that you shouldn’t be getting it from your airline or those in charge of your tour. The reason is quite straight forward and simple. In case you purchase through the airline or those who are in charge of your tour and they close down. Your insurance will most likely be canceled too.
Another issue with buying insurance through these channels is that they will cover only while you are using their services. If you dig deep into their terms and conditions you will find loopholes. In most cases, there will be clauses that explicitly state that they will not be responsible once you have stopped using their services.
4 – Buy an Insurance Plan that is Aligned with your Trip Needs
The standard insurance plans don’t cover traveling to far-flung locations. If you are an adventurous soul and enjoy traveling to areas that are isolated from the real world. There might be a chance that you will face difficulty finding an insurance plan that suits your needs and saves you from potential risk. Discuss this with your insurance provider company and they will come up with a solution to cater to your demands.
Locations that have a high crime rate or are more prone to natural disasters will have lesser chances of being covered with insurance. Moreover, travel insurance covering such countries will be costly as well. Therefore, when you are purchasing your travel insurance policy make sure that it includes all the places that you might need to visit in the future.
Final Thoughts
Some people might argue that there is simply no point in getting travel insurance at all. Here are a few reasons why you should always get travel insurance.
• Getting medical care in a foreign country can be quite expensive. Travel insurance will cover all your medical benefits if you suffer any illness or accident during your travels.
• Let’s say you have planned a Val d'isere ski holidays, for most it might even be once in a lifetime chance. If by any chance you are unable to make it to the trip. You will be losing all your money, this is where your travel insurance will cover you!
• In case you have lost your passport or visa, the authorities of the company are only willing to help you replace one if your insurance plan covers these losses. Similarly, the embassy of your country will not be willing to provide you medical care unless you are covered by insurance.
Most people think that travel insurance might be really expensive. This is where people are wrong. Travel insurance is not as expensive as most people think it is. Getting the right insurance seller and choosing the correct plan makes a difference. Our tips above will help you find the perfect travel insurance plan for your winter travels.
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A great ranking position is critical when it comes to the success of any online venture. Every marketer knows the importance of ranking; however, only a few are willing to do something about it. Out of all those willing marketers, some opt for affordable SEO services while others look for unreliable shortcuts.
Whatever option you opt for, keep in mind that improving Google ranking is a long-term factor that takes time to show results. In this case, quick shortcuts are not going to serve you well.
To help you enhance your Google ranking ethically, here is a list of 5 proven ways that will bring positive results in the long run!
1. Work on having a Mobile-Friendly Website
60% of all the searches are made from a mobile. These stats are enough to compel marketers to take mobile responsiveness seriously. That said, Google ranks those websites better that are optimized to facilitate mobile traffic. So, in order to secure a better ranking position, start working towards having a mobile-friendly website.
That said, the mobile optimization of a website follows two steps; the first step is the actual process of making the website mobile-friendly and the latter one includes the testing procedure. Both steps are equally important because uploading a website without conducting any test for mobile-optimization can backfire badly.
There are various testing tools available in the market one of which is Google’s Mobile-Friendly Test. Simply enter the URL of your website and it will run a handful of test to determine how friendly your website is with mobile devices. All of its findings will be presented to you in the form of a thorough report that will bring your attention towards all the encountered issues. At the end of all, you will have a strong idea of where your website lacks and which areas need further improvements.
When visitors arrive on your website through a mobile, they expect top-notch performance with fast load time. Provide them with a below-average experience and they will never return. This will not only impact your Google ranking but will also play a role in a higher bounce rate. So, always ensure that the users do not experience any performance-related issues when they use your website through mobile devices.
2. Perform Proper Keyword Research
Keyword research is one of the influential factors that affect Google’s ranking. Equipped with the proper SEO knowledge, marketers can find the right keywords and incorporate them into their content to rank better for their target audience.
First off, you need to find out how your target audience is reaching to your website. For this purpose, you can utilize the Google Keyword Planner. From there, open the ‘search for new keyword’ and enter your primary keyword.
In the ‘keyword idea’ section, you will get a bunch of potential keywords along with their monthly search stats. This kind of information can come in handy if you are trying to pinpoint your target audience. Once you know what kind of information your target audience wants and how they want it, you can start creating targeted content that ranks better for special keywords.
Keep in mind that you need to target informational as well as commercial keywords in your content if you want to improve your ranking.
3. Produce Valuable Content
Now that you have a list of all the targeted keywords, it is time to produce high-quality content. The secret to improving your Google ranking also lies in well-researched, thoroughly-crafted content with just the right amount of keywords. You also need to ensure that your content has an informational value to it since this is the only way of ensuring that your users keep coming back to your website.
Creating content that converts is not easy. So, here are a few tips to help you create a content strategy that compels the readers to come back.
• Do not stick with a certain length of the article and mix it all up. For instance, if one article is around 1000 words, the next should be around 1500+ words and so on. Keep in mind that the long-form content ranks better than short pieces. So, devise a content strategy which focuses more on detailed articles.
• A solid article with informational value will still be boring if it does not contain any striking visual elements. So to keep your readers engaged, furnish your content with attractive graphics. Also, break up solid chunks into smaller pieces and utilize bullets to present the information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Include both the short-tail and long-tail keywords. Sprinkle them throughout your content in a way that it does not ruin its quality.
4. Increase Your On-Page SEO Efforts
Without focusing on your on-page SEO strategies, there is a good chance that your content will remain hidden from the users as well as from Google. Something that cannot be found on the internet will surely have a hard time securing a better rank in the SERPs.
For this purpose, you need to target small details on your website that could help you optimize the on-page SEO aspect of your website. Small details like:
Meta description: It is the small description that appears right next to the search results. It contains information that indicates to the users about the sort of information they will find once the click on the specific search result. So accurately describe each page with an equal amount of keywords.
Title tag: These are the clickable headlines that appear on the SERPs. Being an important on-page SEO factor, it should always contain a keyword for which you are trying to rank for.
Images: Make sure that all the images on your website are optimized for quick loading. Additionally, include one of your target keywords in the image file name.
URL: Shorter URLs are known to rank better in the SERPs. So, keep the URL nice and tidy and always ensure to include a targeted keyword in it to rank better.
Headings: Generally, headings can be divided into H1, H2, and H3. H1 is your main title and the rest of them are your subheadings. That said, always include one of the target keywords in the H1 and H2 heading format to increase your chances of ranking better.
In all of the on-page SEO efforts, keywords play an important role. So focus on improving your targeted keyword strategies to secure a better rank!
5. Focus on Your Links
Internal along with external links play a great role in determining your Google rank. This is why it is necessary that you spend some time focusing on your link strategies and try to find lucrative backlinking opportunities.
You can start by assessing all the links on your website to sniff out any broken links. This will also help you in finding working links that lead to dead pages. For this purpose, you can use site crawling tools to find and fix all the problematic links.
Once you are done with that, you can move onto figuring out link-building opportunities. Whether you opt for internal or external opportunities, make sure that you focus on anchor text (hyperlinked words). You can target specific keywords or phrases for your anchor text.
Whatever you do, always ensure that you find high-quality linking opportunities. Otherwise, weak link-building efforts would not do much to improve your Google ranking.
Conclusion
Now that you are aware of all the ins and outs of improving your Google ranking, it is about time that you start with the implementation process. If the truth is told, all these strategies require time and efforts; however, do not let this dampen your spirits. Also, never opt for cheap shortcuts for quick fixes. Not only do they generate short-termed results, but they also cause Google to slap severe penalties that could ruin your website.
So, take the longer yet appropriate route and improve your ranking while steering away from the penalties.
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November 29, 2021
This is a situation none of us can escape because it is bound to happen at some point. We have all got that one beloved rug or carpet at home which we take extra precaution around in order to avoid any sort of wet and sticky mishaps. It is no doubt that quality carpeting is mighty expensive and purchasing a replacement is out of the picture, so it is essential that one knows how to go about a messy encounter.
While some stains may appear to be more challenging than others, it does not mean they are untreatable. You can keep your trustee carpet cleaners close, but it is always an advantage to be armed with more than one trick up your sleeves. Here we break it down for you, from how they are caused to their prevention and treatment, as well as some easy maintenance tips that can help you prolong the beautiful appearance of your favorite carpet.
Let us begin with why carpet stains reappear.
Carpet soiling made by residue
A carpet stain has mysteriously reappeared even after steam cleaning – what could have caused this? During steam cleaning, extremely soapy detergents are used in order to treat stains and soiling but, sometimes the soap is not thoroughly rinsed off the carpet fibers. This leaves behind a sticky glaze that makes it more vulnerable to dirt than ever before.
Wicking caused by excessive moisture
Most commonly, carpet stains soak deep into the padding of carpets and when combined with excess moisture from soapy solutions and other chemicals, it seeps into the carpet fibers and causes the stain to reappear even after cleaning.
Basically, excessive rinsing saturates the stained area and when mixed with the stain, it forms a dirty and discolored outlook. While some of the water might be extracted during the drying process, most of it remains which then wicks upwards into the carpet threads causing the deep stain to reappear. This is known as wicking.
Prevention and treatment of reappearing stains
Stains are a pain in general but, stains that reappear after a couple of days are a downright nuisance. The best thing to do when you have got a nasty spill on your carpet is to treat it as soon as possible. Once you have treated it, place a white towel or some paper towels over the stained area so it soaks up the moisture, if any, left in the carpet.
Additionally, it is never too late to be armed with some reliable household concoctions that can assist in wiping out those tough carpet stains.
Vinegar is a trusted household item that is an expert at both stain removal and cleaning. From light spots to those tough, ground-in-dirt stains, when mixed with a few other domestic formulas it proves to be an excellent solution for treating a variety of stains. Mix equal parts of white vinegar with water and blot the area to remove stains caused by coffee or tea spills.
If you have got an ink spill then dampen a cloth with isopropyl alcohol and dab it onto the stained area but do not rub or scrub as it could cause the ink to spread out. After letting it sit for a few minutes, dry it with a moisture friendly vacuum.
Another stain treatment remedy is using a solution of 1 cup of clear ammonia mixed in 2 liters of warm water. It easily lifts stains from the carpets and upholstery by simply sponging and letting it dry thoroughly. You can repeat the method if needed but it does the trick.
Call the professionals!
When stains become too stubborn and start emitting bad odors, it is time to call upon a professional carpet cleaning company such as London carpet cleaners , etc. to properly eradicate any tough carpet stains. To achieve maximum results, we recommend enlisting the help of those companies that have been in the business of carpet cleaning for quite a while with reviews regarding their top-notch services and equipment as it ensures best treatments for your carpets and rugs.
Hiring the right company matters a lot as their transparency can put you at ease. for example, you can look into their cleaning procedures if you have allergies or if you want to avoid the usage of harsh chemicals because of pets or toddlers crawling around the house.
Maintaining the quality of your carpet
If you are one of the lucky ones who have escaped the wrath of some horrific carpet stains, then the following tips will further assist you in maintaining the beauty and sanitation of your carpets in the future as well:
It is advised that you get your carpets and rugs thoroughly cleaned every 8 to 12 months, be it professionally or by investing in a steam carpet cleaner yourself.
Your cleaning solution should have a pH of 10 or less and ensure that there is no residue left in your carpet padding once you are finished cleaning.
Drying time can be sped up with the help of fans or a dehumidifier. A carpet wet for long periods of time will risk bacteria growth.
Vacuuming daily prevents any debris and dirt from sinking deep into the carpet bedding and expands the life of your carpet.
Conclusion
The average homeowner or occupant has little knowledge on how to keep their carpets looking fresh and clean although, it is equally important as sleeping on clean sheets on a bed. It is possible to live in a home with carpets that are stain and bacteria-free if you follow the tips and precautionary measures mentioned above.
Time is critical when it comes to clearing up a mess, large or small. The secret to quick results is to dab not scrub, take our word on this. You can easily turn those gnarly stains to ghosts of your past by choosing your desired treatment method, be it a home remedy or a professional carpet cleaning service. So, give your carpet a groom to guarantee that it stands the test of time.
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November 14, 2021
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November 27, 2021
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November 29, 2021
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February 3, 2023
As a newbie or an accomplished investor, finding the perfect market where one can invest for long term profit is an important but difficult decision. The real estate market can vary from place to place and can change because of factors such as GDP, economy and even unemployment, etc.
For those who are thinking of venturing into the world of real estate as investors, it is imperative that they are aware of some of the common trade tips that all the professionals use. If you are new to the market, then keep on reading as we have listed seven tips that are going to come in handy in real estate investment.
1. Consider RTV of 1%
The quickest and most convenient way of determining whether a property is a smart investment or not are is by determining its RTV ratio. RTV is an abbreviation of the term Rent-to-Value. This is the income generated from the rental to the price of the property e.g. a building worth $100,000 given out on rent for $1000 a month then the RTV calculated will be 1%.
A property with RTV ratio of 1% a month is considered a viable investment option. If the value of RTV falls below 0.9% then you might not be getting the cash return that you desire. So, if you want to maximize your cash flow accounts, then you must consider a 1% RTV figure.
2. Note the Rent Demand
Large cities have a huge number of people who need to rent flats or apartments but in small towns and counties, you can also find many people looking for rental houses. A percentage of people, who rent a house, is between a handsome figure of 40% to 50%. This percentage is good for a buy and hold strategy. An area with the renter population that falls below 30% will not yield good results.
Ideally, investors should look for markets where the renter population is between 30% to 60%. A market with a percentage of 60 and above is also not a good sign as the market does not catch the attention of owner-occupied buyers. Also, the size of the population does not always have to be large in order to have a good renter percentage.
3. Diversity in Economy
While evaluating a property is a good investment strategy, it is also important to assess the market you have decided to invest in with the following questions:
1. Is it open to trends and changes?
2. Who are the main players?
3. Are the area and market related to the business you are investing in?
All these questions are crucial as you need to confirm whether the market will be beneficial for a long term investment or not.
A diverse economy in this regard is the key as it will support stability for a longer period and also young professionals will have the opportunity to grow. Market depending on one industry can easily be demolished in time of recession or instability. Therefore, seek areas with a diverse economy to stay on the safer side.
4. Broaden your Limits
Many investors have this concept of investing in their zone. This concept is however outdated nowadays because of advanced technology and the rise of internet-based facilities. In order to search for a market that makes your investment fruitful, look outside the comfort zone of local market.
You can live where you desire but when it comes to investing, invest where it is profitable. You can easily miss out on some of the best markets to invest in just by not exploring.
5. On-location Team
If you are looking to invest in a market that is not geographically close to your location, then hiring a team of professionals to work in the area you are investing is a must. While you are choosing the team, you must consider the key factors that make your team strong i.e. willingness to join in, professional dedication and sense of loyalty.
While real estate is all about customer service and sales, you should build a team of individuals who have the quality to convince and retain customers on behalf of the company. For example, if you are working for real estate Makati .based company then your team must have access to your investment and client list for scheduling guided viewing.
6. Eye of an Investor
It is quite common for an investor to decide based on the locations they would prefer to live in. One place that you prefer to live in might not be your client’s cup of tea. It is advised that you do not make a decision on the quality of the market based on your personal preferences.
If you are getting the numbers from a property that you desired for, then do not make a big deal out of it i.e. if you do not like something related to the property but it pays well, then thinks before rejecting it straight away because property can always be altered. Look into the untapped markets from the renter’s point of view.
7. Explore Market
Stable markets are a great option for real estate investors. The main reason for this is that markets that have instability and drastic changes in trends are hit hard during the time of recession. A business that shuts down, leaves the entire area affected whether it is the property investors or the general population. Because of this, the demand for rented houses goes down and the rent prices drop significantly which in turn harms the cash flow for the investors. Stable markets have more possibility of surviving the damage without impacting the real estate business. This is one of the most important points to consider while making a decision
While you continue your journey to find the best market in town, it is always a good option to consider these seven points. Investing in the correct market is important to get the return on the property you wish to rent out!
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