The Daily Valet. - 9/15/20, Tuesday

✔️ Save the Ice

September 15, 2020

Tuesday, September 15th Edition

Cory Ohlendorf, Editor in Chief of Valet.

If you can't reach me today, it's because I'm meditating

Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf

Today's edition is presented by

Today’s Big Story

Glaciers Are In Serious Trouble

And it could result in a catastrophic rise in sea level

Two Antarctic glaciers that have long kept scientists awake at night are breaking free from the restraints that have hemmed them in, increasing the threat of large-scale sea-level rise, reports the Washington Post.

Known as the Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers, their loss could trigger the broader collapse of the West Antarctic ice sheet, which contains enough ice to eventually raise seas by about 10 feet.

Satellite imagery shows such damage as highly crevassed areas and open fractures. Scientists have come to understand in the last few years how integral fractures and cracks in the ice shelves are to the melting process, reports ABC News.

Meanwhile, in Greenland, the largest still-intact ice shelf in the Northern Hemisphere, just lost a large chunk of ice—roughly twice the size of Manhattan—due to warming waters. And just last month, Canada lost a large portion of its last major Arctic ice shelf.

Temperatures are spiking all over the world, leading glaciers to melt and contribute to higher sea levels and stronger storms.

The existential threat of climate change is increasingly becoming a priority with voters as the election approaches. Both Joe Biden and President Trump tackled the issue on Monday: Biden criticized Trump over his environmental record saying this is a problem that “requires action, not denial.” The President, meeting with officials battling wildfires in California, said he believes scientists have not yet proven there is, in fact, a climate crisis.

↦ FYI: The Northern Hemisphere just suffered through its hottest summer on record, according to new data released Monday.

Possible Life Discovered On Venus

Pull out your 2020 bingo cards. Aliens, anyone?

Scientists say they've detected a gas in the clouds of Venus that, on Earth, is produced by microbial life, according to a study published Monday.

Scientists have been musing about the possibility that life exists in Venus' temperate clouds for decades, reports Axios. But if confirmed, the findings would open up a new era of science.

According to NPR, it raises the astonishing possibility that Venus, the planet that comes closest to Earth as it whizzes around the sun, might have some kind of life flourishing in its yellow, hazy cloud layer.

The current thinking is that millions of years ago, Venus actually had oceans of liquid water like Earth. But scientists believe a runaway greenhouse effect turned our neighboring planet into the inhospitable world it is today—with a surface temperature that can exceed 800°F. The cloud layer hovering above, however, ranges between 30°F to 200°F.

↦ Meanwhile: Possible life on another planet quickly prompted a whole bunch of alien memes.

Special Promotion

Send some virgo energy. Someone got a birthday coming up? You need to give them one of these.

There’s a Big Apple Event Today

The show (and technology) must go on

So many things feel like they're spinning out of control, but others remain the same. Case in point: At 1 p.m. Eastern time today, as the fires and pandemic rage on, Apple will beam a livestream introducing their latest gadgetry.

Some might say we don't need it. Others will argue that it's the hopeful promise of a better future. According to WIRED, the event is unlikely to be centered around new iPhones, but there are other products that Apple will want us to all pay attention to—with whatever sliver of attention we have left.

What should we expect? 9to5Mac says the iPad Air is expected to get a major redesign. In addition to the new iPad Air, today's event is also expected to include the announcement of the Apple Watch Series 6. As has become the norm, evidence suggests that this year's Apple Watch will focus heavily on new health features.

And, of course, there will no doubt be a few surprises. Maybe some streaming bundles or the long-rumored over-ear headphones? We'll soon find out.

↦ Tune In: Mashable has all the details you need to know in order to watch the big event later.

A Better Way to Chill?

Gisele Bündchen will help you meditate

No one is sleeping as well as they should be. Anxiety levels are spiking, but thankfully Gisele is here to help.

Let the Brazilian supermodel soothe you into a state of bliss with her new meditation app. That's right ... she'll be whispering into your ear, guiding you through a 14-minute mediation titled, Hope in Times of Uncertainty.

It's a partnership with the well-trusted meditation app Insight Timer and this is just the first of many. Bündchen will continue to add free sessions each month.

“Meditation transformed my life in incredible ways and gave birth to a new phase in my life that brought me much more joy and balance than I’d ever experienced before,” she told People. And there's nothing wrong with a daily reminder to stop stressing and focus on the present.

↦ Get It: Check out her Insight page and download the app.

In Other News

Other Things We’re Talking About Today

This essential fall staple

Bourbon appreciation month

How ‘Jeopardy!’ returned

Special Promotion

Make Someone’s Day

When you can’t be there in person, send flowers

There’s something very gentlemanly about showing up on someone’s doorstep with a bouquet of flowers in hand. But when birthdays, anniversaries or other such occasions come around, gifting in real life is not always practical or possible. That's when you need to call on UrbanStems, which offers quick delivery of premium fresh flowers, sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.

The Virgo(with vase andKendra Scott necklace),$135

For the throes of Virgo season, they've got a special bouquet of fiery, earthy blooms arranged in a metallic vase. The flowers come with a special Kendra Scott necklace that features a double-sided Virgo coin. Two gifts in one, when the flowers are gone, the necklace remains—a practical bonus any Virgo will no doubt appreciate. But that's not the only option to give this season. Here are a few others that caught our eye.

The Buttercream, $65

Double The Carnivale, $104

The Charleston (with basket), $80

Blushing Bride, $50

The Lemon Drop, $80

↦ Shop: The full birthday collection

Sales We’re Eyeing

Trefoil Essentials sweatshirt$55 / $39

Right now, adidas is having a big sale, where you can get some of your favorite styles for up to half off. Whether you're looking for trainers to take to the gym, kick-around weekend sneakers or some simple sweats, there is plenty to choose from. What's more, any order over $100 comes with free shipping and returns—so there's practically no risk.