Wild animals are equipped with a variety of techniques to avoid becoming lunch for a bigger animal, also known as a predator (捕食者) in nature. The most well-known methods include the classic fight and flight as well as freeze.

A team of researchers wondered whether closeness to people might impact those survival strategies. “We often see that animals are more tolerant around us in urban areas, but we don’t really know why.” says evolutionary biologist Dan Blumstein. “Is it individual plasticity, meaning individuals change their fear of us and that leads to tolerance? Or can there be an evolutionary factor involved?”

To find out, Blumstein and his colleagues combined information from 173 studies of over 100 species, including mammals, birds, fish and even mollusks. It turns out that regardless of evolutionary ancestry, the animals react in a similar way to life among humans: they lose their anti-predator characteristics. That pattern is especially pronounced for plant-eating animals and for social species. This behavioral change is perhaps unsurprising when it’s intentional, the result of domestication or controlled breeding. But it turns out that urbanization alone results in a similar change, though around three times more slowly.

The main point is: we’re essentially domesticating animals by urbanization. We’re selecting for the same sorts of characteristics that we would if we were actually trying to domesticate them. If the urbanization process helps animals better co-exist with people, it could be to their benefit. But if it makes them more defenseless to their nonhuman predators, it could be a real problem. Either way, these results, mean that city living has enough of an influence on wild animals that evolutionary processes kick in. Those reductions in anti-predator characteristics become encoded in their genes. We’re changing the population genetics one way or another.

What the researchers now wonder is whether the mere presence of tourists in less urbanized areas can cause similar changes in wild animals. If so, serious questions exist for the idea of ethical, welfare-oriented eco-tourism. If we wish to help animals keep their anti-predator defenses, the researchers say, we might have to intentionally expose animals to predators. It’s just yet one other way that we’re changing the world around us.

In a joint effort to tackle the climate crisis, humans are turning to offshore wind farms (OWFs) as a source of renewable energy. OWFs are, quite literally, one of the biggest forms of renewable energy. The world’s largest OWF covers an area of 462 square kilometers, with each turbine (涡轮) standing 200 meters above the sea. It has the capacity to power over 1.4 million homes. But what impact do the towering turbines have on life in the waters below and the skies above?

It’s thought that OWFs could affect marine (海洋的) life in a number of ways, from noise disturbing the behaviors of fish and whales to changes in the diversity of species in the area. Seabirds that live in the North and Baltic Seas — where a vast majority of OWFs are placed — are also thought to be endangered by turbines. A report from Bird Life International found that twelve North and Baltic seabird species were at high risk of crashing with farms and seven at high risk of being displaced by their construction.

Not all impacts are negative though — some research has suggested that OWFs have the potential for environmental benefits too. A study following the movement of gray seals in the North Sea found that they were frequent visitors to two OWFs, searching between turbines for food. The researchers suggested that farms be acting like artificial reefs, representing a new and concentrated source of food. In areas where marine life has become less dense, it could allow life to flourish (繁荣) once again.

Even so, researchers explained that it’s difficult to predict the full extent of the potential environmental outcomes from these unexpected artificial reefs: “Only a small proportion of our study seals used wind farms or pipelines,” study author Deborah Russell told The Guardian at the time.

To avoid replacing one problem by creating a new one, it seems that researchers and developers will have to continue working hand in hand to ensure OWFs and marine life can successfully live side by side.

Reasons you should make time for the sunset

Here's why you should consider making time to watch the sunset.

1. It can slow down time.

Seriously. By witnessing the beauty of the sunset, you can slow down your perception (感知)of time. 【小题1】 Amazingly, by taking the time to look at the vast sky, we're actually empowering ourselves to regain control of the clock.

2. It can provide energy for you.

Even if you have to go back to the office after you watch that last sliver disappear below the skyline, taking a few minutes out of your day to experience some of the golden hour will be worth it. 【小题2】Often when we feel exhausted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized (给予能量)is to connect with nature.

3. It will force you to put your phone down.

When we regard the experience of sunsets as special occasions, we feel the urge to document and save them——as if keeping photos of their beauty will help us remember that wonder ful feeling. 【小题3】.

4. It will inspire you.

There's a reason sunsets are a timeless and constant inspiration to poets, writers and romantics.

5. 【小题4】.

All of us are drawn to sunsets, but people in a few special places really regard the sunset as a daily opportunity to give thanks；【小题5】, Crowds gather to cheer and applaud it, reinforcing (加强)the idea that we should celebrate and be thankful for each day.