title: Why we're seduced by climate tech and what it means for our happiness

authors: Weijers, Dan M.

abstract: For the most climate-anxious among us, it may even seem best to succumb to the climate tech horizon bias because of the short-term happiness benefits. However, recent research and personal experience are increasingly revealing that the climate catastrophe has already begun. Severe weather events, sea-level rise, and record-breaking heatwaves are impacting millions of people around the world, and doing so with increasing frequency (IPCC, 2023). In the face of this overwhelming evidence, nearly everyone (that doesn't already) should realize that climate tech is not a complete solution to the climate crisis. For those so in the grip of the climate tech horizon bias that they haven't done anything to help address climate change, the happiness impacts of being exposed to extreme weather events and other climate-change-related harms (Clayton, 2020) will include the extra sting of realizing that they had been seduced by the easy solace offered by over-hyped climate tech, and that they could have done more to prevent this affront to their and others' happiness.

Human selfishness, weakness of will, and uncritical thinking are the root problems. Climate tech is part of the solution but, thanks to the horizon bias, may exacerbate the climate problem and cause unhappiness if it is relied upon too heavily. Given the current climate crisis, some unhappiness seems unavoidable. In our view, the best solution is to keep acting in climate friendly ways as individuals, which includes joining with others to encourage governments and businesses to take immediate large-scale steps to reduce emissions as well as mitigate the ongoing effects of historical emissions. Schwartz et al. (2022) found that collective climate action seemed the most likely way to prevent climate anxiety turning into depression, plausibly because it alleviates feelings of individual powerlessness. Perhaps even more importantly, collective climate action may be necessary to prevent a future marred with many climate catastrophes (Gonzalez-Perez and Piedrahita-Carvajal, 2022) and the widespread unhappiness they would cause. So while we should empower promising climate tech by investing in it, we should also empower ourselves by joining with others and pushing for immediate emissions reductions. If we're right, this will make us happier individually and collectively, especially in the medium- and long-run.

text: Why we're seduced by climate tech and what it means for our happiness For the most climate-anxious among us, it may even seem best to succumb to the climate tech horizon bias because of the short-term happiness benefits. However, recent research and personal experience are increasingly revealing that the climate catastrophe has already begun. Severe weather events, sea-level rise, and record-breaking heatwaves are impacting millions of people around the world, and doing so with increasing frequency (IPCC, 2023). In the face of this overwhelming evidence, nearly everyone (that doesn't already) should realize that climate tech is not a complete solution to the climate crisis. For those so in the grip of the climate tech horizon bias that they haven't done anything to help address climate change, the happiness impacts of being exposed to extreme weather events and other climate-change-related harms (Clayton, 2020) will include the extra sting of realizing that they had been seduced by the easy solace offered by over-hyped climate tech, and that they could have done more to prevent this affront to their and others' happiness.

Human selfishness, weakness of will, and uncritical thinking are the root problems. Climate tech is part of the solution but, thanks to the horizon bias, may exacerbate the climate problem and cause unhappiness if it is relied upon too heavily. Given the current climate crisis, some unhappiness seems unavoidable. In our view, the best solution is to keep acting in climate friendly ways as individuals, which includes joining with others to encourage governments and businesses to take immediate large-scale steps to reduce emissions as well as mitigate the ongoing effects of historical emissions. Schwartz et al. (2022) found that collective climate action seemed the most likely way to prevent climate anxiety turning into depression, plausibly because it alleviates feelings of individual powerlessness. Perhaps even more importantly, collective climate action may be necessary to prevent a future marred with many climate catastrophes (Gonzalez-Perez and Piedrahita-Carvajal, 2022) and the widespread unhappiness they would cause. So while we should empower promising climate tech by investing in it, we should also empower ourselves by joining with others and pushing for immediate emissions reductions. If we're right, this will make us happier individually and collectively, especially in the medium- and long-run.

year: 2023

title: Enhancing aerial imagery analysis: Leveraging explainability and segmentation

authors: Dwivedi, Anany

subjects: aerial imagery

abstract: In the field of aerial and satellite remote sensing, the widespread adoption of deep learning brings new possibilities. Current approaches, however, often overlook the unique characteristics of aerial data. This study introduces a methodology that capitalizes on distinctive features, leveraging additional annotations for enhanced neural network training. Despite modest gains in classification accuracy, the synergy of enhanced explainability, automated segmentation, and targeted classification demonstrates nuanced improvements. Preliminary results showcase potential applications in land cover mapping. This work can be extented towards reducing dependency on labor-intensive human annotations through an iterative annotation and training loop.

text: Enhancing aerial imagery analysis: Leveraging explainability and segmentation In the field of aerial and satellite remote sensing, the widespread adoption of deep learning brings new possibilities. Current approaches, however, often overlook the unique characteristics of aerial data. This study introduces a methodology that capitalizes on distinctive features, leveraging additional annotations for enhanced neural network training. Despite modest gains in classification accuracy, the synergy of enhanced explainability, automated segmentation, and targeted classification demonstrates nuanced improvements. Preliminary results showcase potential applications in land cover mapping. This work can be extented towards reducing dependency on labor-intensive human annotations through an iterative annotation and training loop.

year: 2024-04-08

title: Exploring Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: A mixed methods study looking at Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā within the Waikato region

authors: Teinakore, Samantha

subjects: Te Whare Tapa Whā

abstract: Background: Te Whare Tapa Whā is a well-recognised Māori model of health and wellbeing which is embraced within the health system in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Although it can be applied in different specialties, the impacts generated from this model were first noticed in mental health, as this model was created by Mason Durie who is a psychiatrist. Research has shown this model provided an opportunity for Māori to have a voice in their health.
Objective: This study aims were to explore mental health nurses’ perceptions of the Māori Health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how their beliefs and values may impact them implementing this model into their care.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was utilised for this study. Phase one was about gathering quantitative data, collecting statistical data through surveys. The first phase helped with the formulate interview schedule, which was the beginning of the next phase. Phase two was semi structured interviews which helped with the gathering of qualitative data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Participants: Mental health nurses within the Waikato region were the participants for this research study. A survey was distributed to mental health nurses in the Waikato area and 53 responded. After the survey, semi structured one on one interviews were conducted with the researcher. Total of 8 interviews; (n = 6) Māori mental health nurses and (n = 2) Non-Māori mental health nurses.
Results: The survey showed that more than half the nurses had a positive perspective on Te Whare Tapa Whā and felt it was good for nursing care. They were able to identify barriers to implementation. There were mixed responses on feeling supported to use Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace. Four over-arching themes were identified from the interviews . These were; Māori, clinical practice, organisation level and individual factors.
Conclusion: Overall, all mental health nurses had a positive perception of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the impacts it can have on nursing care. Most identified barriers which can impact whether they can actually use it in practice. Māori and non-Māori nurses had different depths of knowledge, cultural worldviews and clinical practice experiences, creating complexities with implementation. These beliefs, perceptions and experiences were highlighted in this study.

text: Exploring Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā: A mixed methods study looking at Māori and non-Māori mental health nurses' perceptions of Te Whare Tapa Whā within the Waikato region Background: Te Whare Tapa Whā is a well-recognised Māori model of health and wellbeing which is embraced within the health system in Aotearoa/ New Zealand. Although it can be applied in different specialties, the impacts generated from this model were first noticed in mental health, as this model was created by Mason Durie who is a psychiatrist. Research has shown this model provided an opportunity for Māori to have a voice in their health.
Objective: This study aims were to explore mental health nurses’ perceptions of the Māori Health model, Te Whare Tapa Whā, and how their beliefs and values may impact them implementing this model into their care.
Methods: A mixed methods approach was utilised for this study. Phase one was about gathering quantitative data, collecting statistical data through surveys. The first phase helped with the formulate interview schedule, which was the beginning of the next phase. Phase two was semi structured interviews which helped with the gathering of qualitative data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Participants: Mental health nurses within the Waikato region were the participants for this research study. A survey was distributed to mental health nurses in the Waikato area and 53 responded. After the survey, semi structured one on one interviews were conducted with the researcher. Total of 8 interviews; (n = 6) Māori mental health nurses and (n = 2) Non-Māori mental health nurses.
Results: The survey showed that more than half the nurses had a positive perspective on Te Whare Tapa Whā and felt it was good for nursing care. They were able to identify barriers to implementation. There were mixed responses on feeling supported to use Te Whare Tapa Whā in the workplace. Four over-arching themes were identified from the interviews . These were; Māori, clinical practice, organisation level and individual factors.
Conclusion: Overall, all mental health nurses had a positive perception of Te Whare Tapa Whā and the impacts it can have on nursing care. Most identified barriers which can impact whether they can actually use it in practice. Māori and non-Māori nurses had different depths of knowledge, cultural worldviews and clinical practice experiences, creating complexities with implementation. These beliefs, perceptions and experiences were highlighted in this study.

year: 2023