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About 2,800 residents from the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality and about 450 residents from the Fort Nelson First Nation were asked to evacuate. Wildfire smoke has been linked to increases in certain cancers and heart-related issues, among other ailments. In 2023, 19 counties in 11 states had days with “very unhealthy” and “hazardous” air quality — given at least a “code purple” alert on the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Air Quality Index. Light rain showers were expected overnight Sunday with more rain forecast Monday, “which will help lower fire activity,” a Sunday update from Alberta Wildfire said. Fire restrictions will remain in effect in the area until conditions improve, according to Alberta Wildfire.

Persons: Parker, “, ” Ben Boghean, ” Cliff Chapman, Jaylene, Terry Cavaliere, ” Boghean, Paul, Crews Organizations: CNN, BC Wildfire Service, Northern Rockies Regional, Fort Nelson, Wildfire, Northern Rockies, Fort Nelson First Nation, Environment Canada, Canadian Interagency Fire Centre, Air, Environmental Protection Agency, US, Protection, British Columbia, Alberta, Reuters Residents, Estates, Lake Estates, Fort McMurray, Alberta Wildfire Locations: British Columbia, Fort Nelson, Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, Parker, Fort, Canada, Maryland, Alberta, Fort McMurray, Saskatchewan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Minneapolis, St, United States, British, Grande Prairie Forest, TeePee Creek , Alberta, Regional, Wood Buffalo, Lake

☆ Monarch Butterfly Numbers Are Down Sharply at Wintering Areas in Mexico
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Catrin Einhorn | More About Catrin Einhorn | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The number of monarch butterflies at their overwintering areas in Mexico dropped precipitously this year to the second-lowest level on record, according to an annual survey. The census, considered a benchmark of the species’s health, found that the butterflies occupied only about 2.2 acres of forest in central Mexico, down 59 percent from the prior year. Only the winter of 2013-14 had fewer butterflies. Scientists said the decline appeared to be driven by hot, dry conditions in the United States and Canada that reduced the quality of available milkweed, the only plants monarch caterpillars can eat, as well as the availability of nectar from many kinds of flowers, which they feed on as butterflies. “It’s telling us that we need to intensify conservation and restoration measures,” said Jorge Rickards, the general director of World Wildlife Fund in Mexico, which conducted the survey with the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas and other partners.

Persons: “, ”, Jorge Rickards Organizations: World Wildlife Fund, National Commission Locations: Mexico, United States, Canada

☆ How One Indian Village Crafted the Most Expensive Nutmeg and Mace
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-20 | by ( Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Nutmeg and mace are two separate spices found in the same fruit. India is the lead consumer of nutmeg as well as one of the top global suppliers. One Indian town, Pollachi, has found ways to create some of the best-quality mace and nutmeg while effectively cutting out middlemen and selling directly to buyers. A kilogram of its mace sells for around $50 — more costly than mace from India's lead producer, Kerala, which sells for $35 per kilogram, and the US, at $9 per kilogram. So what makes Pollachi's nutmeg and mace so special?

Locations: India, Pollachi, Kerala

☆ Global recession and financial crisis could hit if the Israel-Hamas war pulls in the US and Iran, Wall Street veteran says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Israel-Hamas conflict may trigger a global recession and financial crisis, Jim Rickards says. The Wall Street veteran flagged the risks of rising oil prices, weaker demand, and de-dollarization. AdvertisementAdvertisementIf the Israel-Hamas conflict spreads, it could spark a worldwide downturn and financial catastrophe, one Wall Street veteran has warned. "We're losing the financial war in Ukraine, we're losing the financial war to the BRICs," he continued, referring to Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. AdvertisementAdvertisementRickards isn't the only expert sounding the alarm on the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Persons: Jim Rickards, —, Julia LaRoche, Rickards, We're, we're, Ray Dalio Organizations: Wall Street, Service, Wall, Hezbollah, Israel, Citibank, Term Capital Management, West Texas Locations: Israel, Gaza, Lebanese, Iran, American, Brent, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, India, China, South Africa

☆ Why Buddha's hand citron is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Buddha's hand citron, also known as the fingered citron, is one of the oldest varieties of citrus. Its name is derived from its unusual shape, which also resembles a hand position for prayer. A single fingered citron can cost $25 but go as high as $170 depending on how well-shaped and magnificent it is. The farmers in this small Vietnamese town are reaping the financial benefits, but at what cost? And why exactly is Buddha's hand citron so expensive?

Persons: citron

☆ Why West African red palm oil is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Irene Anna Kim | Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

While palm oil is known for being cheap and controversial, red palm oil is artisanally made and much more expensive. The vibrantly colored oil is made from palm fruits and can cost three times as much as its kernel-oil counterpart. Despite the high cost, the handmade oil is a staple in West African households, used to make local dishes like jollof rice and banga soup. But what makes it different from palm oil? And why exactly is it so expensive?

Locations: West, banga

☆ Why 6 of the world's priciest seafoods are so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

From the rainbow-hued pearl lobsters of Indonesia and the baby eels of Spain to the giant Copper River king salmon of Alaska and Nigeria's cod stockfish, dried thousands of miles away in the cold winds of Norway, we uncovered the stories behind six of the world's most expensive kinds of seafood. Our first stop is on the northeast coast of the US, where fishers in Maine can find the greatest quantities of American lobster. From there, they can sell to popular restaurants in New York City that charge over $30 for a fresh 4-ounce lobster roll. So, what made this crustacean go from prison food to a well-known delicacy? And why are lobsters so expensive?

Locations: Indonesia, Spain, Alaska, Norway, Maine, New York City

☆ Why Pure Grade A Maple Syrup Is So Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-27 | by ( Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Once pierced, century-old maple trees drip sap referred to as liquid gold. It will take roughly 50 gallons of these drops to make one 1 gallon of 100% pure Grade A maple syrup. Farms in the Hudson Valley, New York State, can sell that gallon for over $200, almost 29 times more than popular imitation syrup. Despite the price, Grade A maple syrup is incredibly sought-after. So much so that C$18 million worth of it was stolen in one of the largest heists in Canadian history.

Locations: Hudson Valley , New York State

☆ So Expensive Food season 2 marathon
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

From Colombia's indigenous panela and India's bilona ghee to Kenya's single-origin coffee and Japan's olive wagyu, we uncovered the stories behind some of the world's most expensive foods. Our first stop is in Indonesia, where the largest communities of one of the rarest lobsters on the planet exist. These colorful crustaceans are more than six times as expensive as Maine lobsters.

☆ Why royal jelly is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Pj Rickards | Claudia Romeo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Royal jelly is a secretion honeybee workers make to feed larvae of future queen bees. All bees consume royal jelly, but once a queen is selected, workers then feed on pollen and honey, while only the queen feeds on the prized jelly. Royal jelly contains much more nutrients than honey and is often referred to as the "superfood of the beehive." Royal jelly can be found in its natural form, as a health supplement, and in skincare products, and it can reach $125 per pound. But extracting royal jelly requires great precision, as the process can be done only by hand.

☆ Why 10 Pricey Foods Are Even More Expensive Because of Climate Change
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-04 | by ( Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on the culture & business of sustainability — delivered weekly to your inbox. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyPurple flowers in Kashmir produce the world's most expensive spice — saffron. While it can sell for $10,000 per kilogram, climate change is making it even more expensive. Climate change is threatening the production of all kinds of foods from cloves in India to eels in Japan and Spain. Here are 10 expensive, and vulnerable, foods and why climate change is making them so much more expensive.

☆ Why Olive Wagyu is so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Irene Anna Kim | Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

At over $500 a pound, olive wagyu is one of the most expensive meats you can buy. There are only 2,500 heads of olive wagyu cattle on the island of Shodoshima. Farmer Masaki Ishii feeds his cattle waste from local olive oil groves. In Shōdoshima, Japan, Masaki Ishii creates olive wagyu by feeding his cattle the waste from local olive groves. So, what makes olive wagyu different from other varieties of wagyu?

☆ Why Spanish baby eels are so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-17 | by ( Claudia Romeo | Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Baby eels are a delicacy in Spain. A single kilogram can reach thousands of dollars at auction. To reach just 1 kilo, fishers need to catch 3,000 eels. They are a delicacy in Spain, where a single kilogram can reach thousands of dollars at auction. Fishers need to catch 3,000 eels to reach just 1 kilo, a task that requires spending entire nights in the water, in total darkness, braving strong tides and stormy seas.

☆ Why Pitaya (Mexican Dragon Fruit) Is So Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Claudia Romeo | Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Covered in spines and hiding a rich, colorful pulp, pitayas are an important fruit in Mexico. A batch of 4,000 pitayas can sell for over $7,400. Getting your hands on some in the US can cost up to $22 for a bucket of 5 fruits. Getting your hands on some in the US can cost up to $22 for a bucket of five fruits. Workers must pick, despine, and transport the pitayas all in a single day to ensure they reach customers without spoiling.

☆ Why Nordic wild blueberries are so expensive
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Claudia Romeo | Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Bilberries are sweet purple berries that grow wild in the forests of Nordic countries. In the form of juices or supplements, they can reach over $200 per kilogram. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyBilberries, or Nordic wild blueberries, are sweet purple berries that grow wild in the forests of Nordic countries. To ensure the tiny berries hold on to their precious antioxidants, companies in Finland spend entire days sorting and freezing them at precise temperatures. So what makes these tiny berries so nutritious?

☆ Why Fox Nuts (Water Lily Seeds) Are So Expensive
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Claudia Romeo | Pj Rickards | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Makhana, as they are known locally, are the seeds of the prickly water lily plant. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyOnce popped, water lily seeds look just like popcorn. But a bag of these seeds, also known as fox nuts, will cost you much more: over $170 per kilogram. Farmers in India work tirelessly for over four days, partially submerged in 4-foot-deep water, kneeling in the scorching sun, and roasting the seeds in blazing-hot woks. So are water lily seeds worth it?

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