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<strong><br /></strong><ul><li><strong>There are a few extremely cold cities in the world which makes habitation a challenge.</strong></li><li><strong>It is a real wonder to see how people living in these areas manage to bear such bitter cold temperatures.</strong></li><li><strong>Here is a list of top 5 <keyword id="8502763" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coldest-cities">coldest cities</keyword> in the world which will surprise you as to the ruthless lows the weather can dip into.</strong></li></ul>The climate and weather are never uniform throughout the world. Abundance of rain and prolonged exposure to the Sun around the equators have led to the growth of rain forests in some areas and deserts in others. <br /><br />Countries in the tropical regions experience four different patterns of weather in a year -- summer, winter, autumn and spring. In regions around the poles and high altitudes, we find extreme cold temperatures. It is a real wonder to see how people manage to live in some coldest cities. Here we discuss about <a href="https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/5-of-the-coldest-cities-in-the-world/434260">top five coldest cities on the earth</a>. <br /><br />These are the top 5 coldest cities in the world that have reported the lowest temperatures in the hierarchical order. <br /><br /><strong>Dudinka (Russia)<br /></strong><br />In the Siberian territory of Russia, Dudinka is a town on the banks of the Yenisei River - situated above the Arctic Circle. This city is home to 20,000 people. Dudinka which is known as the northernmost city of the world, reports the harshest climates ever. The minimum temperature in January in an average can get to minus 28 degrees Fahrenheit (- 33 degrees Celsius), while high temperatures are at an average of - 12 F (- 24.5 C).<br /><br /><strong>Harbin (China)<br /></strong><br />The capital of Heilongjiang province, Harbin is situated in the Northeastern China and houses about 10,000 people. They call it the ice city due to its extreme cold temperatures. So much so, the city hosts one of the largest ice festivals of the world popularly known as the Harbin International Snow and Ice Festival. In January, the lowest average temperature reported here is between - 8 F and - 12 F (-22 to - 24 C). <br /><br /><strong>Winnipeg (Canada)<br /></strong><br />Housing about 715,000 people, Winnipeg is the capital city of Manitoba Province. Among the major cities of North America, this is the coldest. The January low temperatures here are between – 5 and – 9F. (- 20 to - 22 C). In the past, -45 C and – 47.8 C were recorded here in 1966 and 1879 respectively. <br /><br /><strong>Yakutsk (Russia)<br /></strong><br />Yakutsk is the capital of the Sakha Republic of Russia and the city experiences some of the most severe winters of the world. The city is home to about 282,400 people, and is located only at about 200 miles from the Arctic Circle. The lowest temperature in January can dip down from - 38 to minus 42 F. In 1891, the city recorded its lowest ever temperature at – 64 C.<br /><br /><strong>Yellowknife (Canada)<br /></strong><br />The capital of Canada’s Northwest provinces, Yellowknife is at about 320 miles from the Arctic Circle. More than 20,000 people reside in this city. The normal temperature in the month of January can reach up to -26 F (- 32 C) in Yellowknife. The normal high temperature also does not go up above - 7 F (- 21 C). In 1947, the city recorded its coldest temperature at - 60 F (- 51 C). In 2014, the city received the title, Coldest Canadian City’.<br />

Top 5 coldest cities of the world you might want to go to for your next vacation

<p>Drones have given us the ride of a lifetime in places like <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-aerial-tour-by-drone-2015-1">New York City</a>, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/incredible-drone-footage-from-hang-son-doong-worlds-biggest-cave-2015-3">the biggest cave on earth</a>, and across the continent of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stunning-south-america-drone-footage-2015-3">South America</a>. But nothing compares to the <a href="https://vimeo.com/124858722">drone footage that Kalle Ljung and his small crew took</a> from December 2014 to January 2015 of the harshest place on earth: Antarctica.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>Antarctica is the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lowest_temperature_recorded_on_Earth">coldest</a>, <a href="http://www.livescience.com/30627-10-driest-places-on-earth.html">driest</a>, and emptiest (in terms of human inhabitants) place on earth. Many places on this icy, snow-covered continent have never before been explored by human beings, making it a wonderful spectacle of natural beauty.<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>Antarctica is the southernmost continent and can be reached only by boat or plane.<p>That's probably why few ever visit - that and it's really cold!</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>Thanks to Ljung's drone skills, everyone can experience this alien ice world without the hassle of dealing with the freezing temperatures.<p>Ljung and his crew visited in the middle of the Arctic summer, when temperatures on the coast range from <a href="http://www.antarctica.gov.au/about-antarctica/environment/weather">14 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit</a>.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>Ljung and his crew sailed a yacht to Antarctica.<p>You can see one of the crew members controlling the drone from the mast:</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>Their route was a long one.<p>They launched in Ushuaia, Argentina, about 680 miles from their final destination, in the Melchior Islands. From there, they sailed to Cape Horn at the southern tip of South America.</p><p>After that, it was a relatively straight shot across the Drake Passage (the open water between Cape Horn and Antarctica that was first crossed by Dutch navigator Willem Shouten in 1616) to the Melchior Islands of Antarctica.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>They spent 16 days sailing through the waters around these islands. During that time, they saw what Ljung describes <a href="https://vimeo.com/124858722">on Vimeo</a> as "the most amazing scenery and wildlife."<p>There are <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antarctic_whales">over a dozen whale species</a> that spend time in Antarctic waters; Ljung caught some of the majestic creatures coming up for air.</p><p>He doesn't specify what species they belong to, but it's an incredible sight.</p><p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table full"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div>In 2012, a team of scientists reported that some of these whales (Humpbacks who frequent Antarctica in the summer and autumn) are <a href="http://www.livescience.com/21979-humpback-whales-antarctica-migration.html">hanging around Antarctic shores longer</a> than previously estimated.<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div><p></p></div></div><p>Part of this, they suspect, is that climate change is driving the onset of winter to later in the year. Therefore, longer autumn seasons could be affecting these whales' migration habits; they usually migrate in winter toward the equator to breed.</p><p>Experience more of Antarctica's Melchior Islands in the full video, complete with an inspirational soundtrack:</p><div><div><div class="vimeo-embed-container"></div></div></div>

Drone footage from the harshest place on earth will take your breath away

<ul class="summary-list"><li>During dark, gloomy winter, many cities go through a slump as people stay indoors.</li><li>But it doesn't have to be that way: So-called "winter cities" are built to be used year-round.</li></ul><p>When Jennifer Seabolt moved from <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/boston-portland-chicago-new-job-where-move-rto-higher-pay-2023-11"><u>Hawaii to Boston</u></a> about seven years ago, she prepared herself for <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/worst-winters-in-america-photos-snow-temperature-records-2019-11"><u>winter</u></a>. It wasn't the cold that got her — it was <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/daylight-saving-time-is-deadly-2018-3"><u>how dark and gloomy things would get</u></a>.</p><p>Trying to rally friends or family to leave home when it's cold and dark outside is hard, in part because it doesn't feel like there's a lot to do, she said. And most activities <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inflation-cost-of-living-alcohol-coffee-going-out-more-expensive-2023-10"><u>involve spending money</u></a>, unlike the free outdoor events that seem easier to access during warmer months.</p><p>"It is absolutely more of an effort, I think, to try to do things during the winter," she said.</p><p>Seabolt isn't alone. In many American cities, outdoor spaces shutter for a quarter of the year. In a time when<strong> </strong>a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/loneliness-epidemic-solutions-investment-venture-capital-2023-8">loneliness epidemic</a> is raging — and cities are still struggling to rebound economically in the wake of the<strong> </strong>pandemic — city life shutting down for a whole season may exacerbate existing social and economic problems. That's where the concept of a "winter city" — designed to not only be livable, but actually enjoyable, during the chilly season —<strong> </strong>comes in.</p><p>Winter cities are defined by a few basic design principles, according to Isla Tanaka, the winter city planner for the Canadian city of Edmonton, Alberta: Putting public spaces in areas that receive sunshine, blocking wind, incorporating pops of color into an otherwise dreary landscape, lighting up spaces so they're still usable during long winter nights, and crafting infrastructure — like fire pits or public bathrooms — to support life in the winter.</p><div type="image" title="A fire pit in Edmonton" height="1333" width="2000" msid="105879748" hostid="261" sizebytes="121168"></div><p>In Edmonton, which has been making itself a<strong> </strong>winter city for the last decade, initiatives include developing a four-season patio culture — the city now has over 20 venues with winter patios, up from around what Tanaka estimates was four to five patios during winter 2019-2020. The patios are heated, covered, or otherwise cozy outdoor spaces. There are festivals every weekend from November through mid-March. Parks now have bathrooms that can remain open in the winter, as well as year-round<strong> </strong>cafes. All of those initiatives sprung in part from a question of emotion, rather than infrastructure, according to Tanaka: "We said, what would make you fall in love with your city in winter?"</p><p>The biggest success in Edmonton has been a change in culture, Tanaka said. It turns out that alleyways lit up with lightboxes, artistic installations, and warm patios for sipping beverages is enough to entice people to change their habits and embrace going out in the wintertime.</p><p>"We thought that shifting the culture would be one of the hardest pieces of the work. And it actually happened much faster than we expected," she said.</p><p>The pandemic played a role — interest in outdoor activities in cities across the world spiked when indoor spaces shut down. Many cities are leaning into that enthusiasm with new programming and infrastructure to get people out of their homes.</p><div type="image" title="Members of the public and invited guests skate on the first day of the season at Wollman Rink in Central Park on October 23, 2022 in New York City." height="853" width="1280" msid="105879749" hostid="261" sizebytes="155804"></div><h2>If you build it, they will come</h2><p>On a recent Sunday night in Brooklyn, New York, light rain and low temperatures didn't stop nearly 2,000 people from weaving their way through the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's mile-long holiday light show. The immersive "Lightscape," which is stroller- and wheelchair-friendly, is bringing people outside at a time of year when the Garden would normally be "cold, dark, and closed by 4:30," said Adrian Benepe, the Botanic Garden's president and CEO.</p><p>Benepe, a former NYC Parks Commissioner, says interest in outdoor activities in the city has surged in recent years, accelerated by the pandemic. When the Botanic Garden debuted its Lightscape show in November 2020, he was blown away by attendance. The show attracted more than 150,000 visitors during its six weeks, Benepe said, during a time of year when the Garden normally gets between 5,000 and 10,000 visitors a month. It's a financial boon during the Garden's slowest time of year, and good for the institution's brand. It's also good for public health.</p><p>"In addition to just being a source of enlivening cultural institutions that would otherwise be closed and dark, it's building community, it creates antidotes to winter lethargy and to loneliness," Benepe said. "There are physical and mental health, real public health reasons to do these things, to encourage people to get outdoors in the winter."</p><div type="image" title="One of the installations at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's &quot;Lightscape&quot; show on December 3, 2023." height="3024" width="4032" msid="105879750" hostid="261" sizebytes="597932"></div><p>Winter light shows are catching on. The Botanic Garden installation is one of about 20 outdoor light attractions in the New York City metro area this season.</p><p>This isn't the first time Benepe has overseen a hugely successful effort to get people into parks during the coldest time of year. While he was parks commissioner, he helped realize <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/arts/design/christo-appraisal-gates.html"><u>Christo and Jean-Claude's "The Gates"</u></a> — 7,500 massive orange metal and fabric gates through 23 miles of Central Park — in February 2005.</p><p>The Gates exhibit wasn't purposely designed to take place during the winter; it was timed to avoid bird migration seasons. But it did just what a winter city project should: It brought people outside during one of the year's coldest months, spread joy through art, and gave the city an economic boost. The 16-day-long installation attracted four million visitors. The snow made the bright orange gates look even more dramatic, Benepe said.</p><p>"Many of us in the Bloomberg administration believe it jump-started the revival of New York City as a major global tourism destination," Benepe said.</p><div type="image" title="Adrian Benepe, the president and CEO of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, said getting people outdoors and into parks during the winter is a matter of public health." height="3024" width="4032" msid="105879751" hostid="261" sizebytes="558496"></div><h2>Becoming an accessible winter city is only getting more important</h2><p>It's no secret that cities are still struggling to ease into a new normal post-pandemic. As remote work takes root, many downtowns are hurting without workers patronizing their businesses, riding mass transit, and occupying offices. The phenomenon is fueling warnings about the so-called "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/30/opinion/covid-pandemic-cities-future.html"><u>urban doom loop</u></a>." As office vacancies rise, lower commercial property tax revenue could force leaders to curtail city services, hurting quality of life and pushing residents out.</p><p>Patrick Coleman, a Michigan-based urban and town planner professional who runs the <a target="_blank" href="https://wintercities.com/home/"><u>Winter Cities Institute</u></a>, said that winter cities are almost an issue of "survival" for chillier urban areas.</p><p>"For many years, the north has been losing population because people have been told that cold is bad, warm is good," Coleman said. In his region, a lot of seniors leave when they retire, moving to places like Florida or Arizona.</p><p>"That's a real problem. I mean, even if they come back in the summertime, still, their dollars are being spent somewhere else."</p><div type="image" title="Winter in Edmonton" height="1333" width="2000" msid="105879832" hostid="261" sizebytes="75614"></div><p>Cities across the world are racing to deal with hotter summers and extreme heatwaves that <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nbcnews.com/science/environment/global-heat-deaths-quadruple-action-not-taken-climate-change-study-fin-rcna125187"><u>are growing deadlier</u></a>. But even as climate change makes winter shorter and warmer, it's also predicted to cause <a target="_blank" href="https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/maybe-its-cold-outside/"><u>more intense and frequent winter weather, including storms</u></a>. That only accentuates the importance of adapting to inclement weather.</p><p>All of this also comes on the heels of the <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/social-distancing-outdoor-dining-may-save-restaurants-this-summer-2020-5"><u>pandemic</u></a>, which ushered in a heightened awareness of how we use <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-reopens-restaurants-for-outdoor-dining-pictures-2020-6"><u>outdoor spaces year-round</u></a>, with things like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-city-makes-outdoor-dining-permanent-for-restaurants-2020-9"><u>dining huts</u></a> and park hangouts suddenly becoming omnipresent.</p><p>"As a result of the pandemic, we see a lot of northern cities saying, hey, we should make more ski trails in the city. We should have sledding hills. It's really renewed this interest in the livable winter city," Coleman said.</p><p>Winter, of course, comes with its own challenges. Ice and snow removal is very important, Coleman said — you might clear off the streets, but someone, especially someone with mobility issues, might still have to step from the sidewalk to the curb, which could have its own puddle of snow and ice. And transit shelters are also often inadequate. While snow removal is always a thorny issue, Tanaka said that active pathways and bike lanes in Edmonton now get priority snow clearing service.</p><p>But for Seabolt, who's braved long lines and cold conditions to try and take part in Boston's few winter city offerings, things like transit that would easily get her to other neighborhoods, or even just more lights up around the city, could make a big difference.</p><p>"A fire pit in the common would be amazing to just be able to sit around and you bring friends and maybe you bring marshmallows and can do something like that without feeling like you're confined to your home or your apartment, honestly, if you're in a city," she said.</p>

Seasonal depression is right around the corner. 'Winter cities' know how to fight it. 

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Having an organized fridge ensures you're not wasting food, time, and money. </li><li>Every fridge has different zones based on temperature you can use to create an organizational system. </li></ul><p>Keeping a refrigerator organized may seem like a useless chore better left to perfectionists of the world. </p><p>But when you take stock of all the kitchen appliances you use on a daily basis, the fridge is arguably the most important. So why not keep it as neat as other spaces? When there's order to the chaos, the financial and health benefits can be rewarding.</p><p>"When everything is in place, you're more likely to make better food choices, not to mention the peace of mind of having items organized based on usage and expiration dates," says Pia Thompson, professional organizer and owner of <a href="https://www.sweet-digs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sweet Digs</a>. </p><p>When done properly, an organized fridge can also help reduce waste and cut down on groceries. </p><p>Thompson shares her best tips on how to keep an organized fridge to reap the benefits of reducing food waste, saving money and time, and above all, having a beautifully decluttered fridge.</p><h2><strong>Plan the layout </strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="How to organize your fridge" height="1749" width="2333" msid="99325093" hostid="261" sizebytes="119546"></div><p>The first step to better fridge organization is as simple as knowing <em>where</em> to store items. This will ensure you're maximizing all of your fridge's compartments.</p><p>Your overall game plan depends on your personal needs. "Consider what's best for you and your family and organize the fridge so that items are easy to access," says Thompson.</p><p>For example, if you have kids, you may want store healthy snacks at their eye level. Or, if you normally store water bottles or canned beverages in the fridge, you'll want to make sure you plan out the space accordingly. </p><p>Beyond personal needs, the fridge itself can guide your organization. The door and top shelf tend to be the "warmest" parts of a fridge, while the middle shelf is colder, and the bottom shelf is the coldest.</p><p>Understanding that refrigerators have warm and cold zones can help you create a system where everything has its place and food lasts longer. Here are some general guidelines.</p><h3><strong>The door</strong></h3><p>The door is the warmest part of the fridge and goes through the most fluctuations in temperature. Here, Thompson suggest storing condiments, jams, and other foods most resistant to spoiling. She also recommends storing herbs like parsley, cilantro and dill in the door — place each herb bundle in a water-field Mason jar to prolong their freshness. </p><p>Even though a carton of milk might fit perfectly in the door, it's generally not a good idea to store dairy there, and that includes eggs. Thompson recommends storing milk in the bottom shelf since it needs low temperatures to last longer.</p><h3><strong>Top and middle shelves</strong></h3><p>The top and and middle shelves are typically the second coldest zone and the temperature stays constant. Thompson says this section should be reserved for ready-to-eat or grab-and-go foods and snacks and dairy (like yogurt, sour cream, and cheeses), desserts, prepared meals, and leftovers. Uncovered items such as berries and eggs can also go in the top and middle shelves.</p><h3><strong style="color: #222222;">Lower shelves</strong></h3><p>The lowest shelf is typically the coldest part of the fridge. This section should accommodate large, heavy items (like beer bottles and soda cans) as well as meats and fish.</p><p>It's a smart idea to store meat on the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination in case the package leaks. To be extra safe, try storing your meat (in its original packaging) in designated clear bins, that way any possible leaks are contained to one area for easy clean up. </p><h3><strong style="color: #222222;">Crisper drawers</strong></h3><p>Refrigerators have at least one crisper drawer, but most have two — a low-humidity drawer and a high-humidity drawer. The low-humidity drawer should be used to store produce items that rot easily, such as apples, pears, and melons, whereas the high humidity drawer should be used to store leafy greens, cauliflower, and eggplant.</p><p>"Crisper drawers are designed to reduce humidity and provide added control over temperature, so it's best to keep produce there," says Thompson, adding "but fruits and veggies should not be stored together since the ethylene in fruits may cause veggies to spoil faster."</p><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> To extend the life of salad greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula, Thompson says you can wrap them in a damp paper towel before storing. </p><h2><strong>Remove everything and group like items together </strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Categorize your products, food products on table with labels" height="1749" width="2333" msid="99325096" hostid="261" sizebytes="60956"></div>With a general layout in mind, the next step is to remove and categorize everything. <p>When taking things out, Thompson recommends throwing away items past their expiration dates, moldy items, and items that often go unused or are disliked. To categorize products, you can use sticky notes to keep track of everything. A simple category list includes:</p><ul><li>Drinks</li><li>Produce</li><li>Meats</li><li>Leftovers</li><li>Condiments </li></ul><p>After removing everything, Thomson says sanitizing every part of the inside of the fridge is essential. All removable parts should be taken out and washed with <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-dish-soap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dish soap</a>, while other parts can be thoroughly cleaned with <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/home/best-disinfecting-cleaner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes</a>. </p><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>Removing items that do not need to be refrigerated can help free up space and improve their flavor. Common items that do not need to be stored in the fridge include citrus, onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, tomatoes, hot sauce, nuts, and chocolate.</p><h2><strong>Use organizers to maximize space</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Types of fridge organizers, including a can dispenser, lazy susan, and stackable bins" height="1749" width="2333" msid="99325098" hostid="261" sizebytes="89446"></div><p>When you're ready to put everything back in a clean fridge, consider adding organizers. Just as organizers can help you corral items in a pantry or cabinets, the same could be said with the fridge. Fridge size and design of course vary, but here are a few ideas. </p><p><strong>Take advantage of vertical and wall space. </strong>The limited space of a fridge can be a disadvantage when it comes to storage and organization, which is why Thompson recommends going vertical with stackable storage and using empty wall space. </p><p>"Consider a <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=953b26848832ebe24dc8cf96360d602b73d8917ad44dba5e25ff6b793d5fc3c2&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSet-Refrigerator-Organizer-Countertops-Dispenser%2Fdp%2FB08WJH998C" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">can dispenser</a>, <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=023226221959f0e4f036b811d273ea828d2f64bcf1c0783c191e88dc1c1c4c90&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FSet-Refrigerator-Organizer-Bins-Countertops%2Fdp%2FB097QP49XB" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored nofollow sponsored">stackable bins</a>, or a <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=0d022685f2508b1649e6197398fb8f052320bbef38f33ffe8cc8ddad9018f771&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FDecorRack-Suction-Organizer-Toiletries-Accessories%2Fdp%2FB081NXFV9H%2Fref%3Dsr_1_16%3Fcrid%3DGZ8QTEL5TNEO%26keywords%3Dsuction%2Bcup%2Bbasket%26qid%3D1647040093%26sprefix%3Dsuction%2Bcup%2Bfridge%2Bbasket%252Caps%252C122%26sr%3D8-16" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">basket</a> with suction cups to hold small things that might otherwise get lost in the refrigerator like string cheese or condiment packets," she says.</p><p><strong>Use organizers and labels. </strong>When it comes to organizing, Thompson says it's best to get fun and creative with it. "Invest in a cute and functional matching or color coordinated set," she says. Add your drinks, produce, meats, leftovers, and condiments into <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-food-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">containers and organizers</a> and place them in their designated fridge zones to keep things neat. </p><p>"A <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=464fdc6e8d57633357fe81f5991a0a939330d533df5be1d1ceda809e99fa9a79&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FmDesign-Bamboo-Kitchen-Cabinet-Organizer%2Fdp%2FB0864W623C%2Fref%3Dsr_1_3%3Fcrid%3D26QU0ZRTI589Y%26keywords%3Dbamboo%2Bfridge%2Borganizer%26qid%3D1648049837%26s%3Dhome-garden%26sprefix%3Dbamboo%2Bfridge%2Borganizer%252Cgarden%252C62%26sr%3D1-3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">bamboo organizer</a> for eggs, a <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=6d8c5dc0b39ab2de99c9786ba541fde92ebdb0e5ef76500ae63c7ffb37f48f93&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FYouCopia-Fridge-Turntable-FridgeView-White%2Fdp%2FB08HPJYZKL%2Fref%3Dsr_1_7%3Fkeywords%3Drefrigerator%2Blazy%2Bsusan%26qid%3D1647040559%26sr%3D8-7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">lazy Susan</a>, and <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=d1df440003892f40a9c507d45453709ceb0a676b086bd8643f87603d9d42b5d9&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fsmartified-Organizer-Vertical-Dividers-Clamshells%2Fdp%2FB09KGR2XCZ%2Fref%3Dsr_1_2%3Fkeywords%3Dfridge%2Bdivider%26qid%3D1647040442%26sr%3D8-2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">clear dividers</a> will make it easy to get into the habit of organizing food while also seeing exactly what's there." To take it a step further, Thompson also suggests labeling everything and using <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=8b5115d828eb266a47240dbae9543ab5096934b1c89e82c03ba36b1d4f3184b3&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FTalented-Kitchen-Minimalist-Resistant-Organization%2Fdp%2FB08KRRTXCR%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fcrid%3D3DL7U5W9NVVGW%26keywords%3Dkitchen%2Blabels%26qid%3D1647040495%26sprefix%3Dkitchen%2Blabel%252Caps%252C286%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26psc%3D1%26spLa%3DZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFSS0IzSzZKTko5TUImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NTgwNDcyWkNNNFZBVFZUNzZTJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NDIxMDMyT1ZZUUg3WkpFQjNTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ%3D%3D" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">uniform labels</a> that clearly define the products and are especially useful for leftovers and the date they were made. </p><p><strong>Use liners to keep things clean. </strong>Now that you're ready to put everything back in the fridge in an orderly fashion, Thompson suggests first lining drawers and shelves to maintain cleanliness. </p><p>"Line shelves with <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=ad4cfe2010162f0675fd114ab56da991efc07b7be9cafdf9f1abe943a16af9aa&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FRefrigerator-MayNest-Washable-Accessories-Organization%2Fdp%2FB099LRN41K%2Fref%3Dsr_1_4%3Fcrid%3D32H003VZNCUMK%26keywords%3Dfridge%2Bshelf%2Bliner%26qid%3D1647039860%26s%3Dhome-garden%26sprefix%3Dfridge%2Bshelf%2Bliner%252Cgarden%252C174%26sr%3D1-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">washable mats</a> and line drawers with paper towels or dish towels," says Thompson. "Paper towels will not only make it easier to clean up crisper drawers, but they can help keep produce fresh. Replace them every two weeks to make cleaning super easy."</p><h2><strong>Tips to keep your fridge tidy</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Tips and tricks to keep you fridge tidy, including a deodorizer and an eat first bin" height="1749" width="2333" msid="99325099" hostid="261" sizebytes="81904"></div><ul><li><strong>Create an "eat first" bin: </strong>Thompson says this is especially helpful for those who always forget to eat their leftovers, or forget that they have them in the first place. Label this bin with the expiration date or date it was made. </li><li><strong>Follow a "one in, one out" philosophy: </strong>This is a tried-and-true method followed by professional kitchens and homeowners alike.<strong> "</strong>When you have more than one of something, put the oldest in front so it gets used first," says Thompson. "It's imperative to organize based on shelf-life."</li><li><strong>Don't overfill</strong>. Once you have organized your fridge, Thompson advises to avoid overfilling or overstocking, that way you can use up what you have and keep track of expiration dates easily. "When you buy too much food, the chances of ending up throwing it away are pretty high, especially when you have those items that make it all the way to the back of the shelves and are pretty much forgotten," says Thompson. "A crowded fridge can also lead to blocked air vents, impede air flow, and reduce energy efficiency ultimately leading to dollars down the drain."</li><li><strong>Add a deodorizer</strong>. Thompson always recommends placing a fresh deodorizer in the back of the top shelf so that your fridge not only looks great, but smells great too. "Nothing is worse than having to get a stinky whiff after opening the fridge door, especially when you're hungry," says Thompson. Baking soda is a simple and inexpensive solution, but there are sachets, patches, and specialized <a href="https://affiliate.insider.com?amazonTrackingID=biauto-53853-20&amp;h=da199d12033e9db068ba00885ef23828359cc322a7a4e1031e3a162b83004ede&amp;postID=628f975fa2374776c7e88204&amp;site=in&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FNonScents-Refrigerator-Deodorizer-1pack-Outperforms%2Fdp%2FB07198XFRX" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">deodorizers</a> for even the smelliest of fridges.  </li></ul><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway </strong></h2><p>With a clear layout plan, a categorization system, and the right organizing products, your fridge can become as aesthetically pleasing as a well-organized closet. Knowing what products belong in the appropriate fridge zones and avoiding food waste by following long term tips can help save you money and keep your fridge in tip-top shape. </p>

How to organize a fridge, according to a professional organizer

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Having an organized fridge ensures you're not wasting <keyword id="11894142" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="food" source="Orion">food</keyword>, time, and money. </li><li>Every fridge has different zones based on temperature you can use to create an organizational system. </li><li>To keep things neat and tidy, consider <keyword id="12118322" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="organization" source="Orion">organization</keyword> solutions like clear containers and bins. </li></ul><p>Keeping a refrigerator organized may seem like a useless chore better left to perfectionists of the world. </p><p>But when you take stock of all the kitchen appliances you use on a daily basis, the fridge is arguably the most important. So why not keep it as neat as other spaces? When there's order to the chaos, the financial and health benefits can be rewarding.</p><p>"When everything is in place, you're more likely to make better food choices, not to mention the peace of mind of having items organized based on usage and expiration dates," says Pia Thompson, professional organizer and owner of <a href="https://www.sweet-digs.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sweet Digs</a>. </p><p>When done properly, an organized fridge can also help reduce waste and cut down on groceries. </p><p>Thompson shares her best tips on how to keep an organized fridge to reap the benefits of reducing food waste, saving money and time, and above all, having a beautifully decluttered fridge.</p><h2><strong>Plan the layout </strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="How to organize your fridge" height="1749" width="2333" msid="90428569" hostid="261"></div><p>The first step to better fridge organization is as simple as knowing <em>where</em> to store items. This will ensure you're maximizing all of your fridge's compartments.</p><p>Your overall game plan depends on your personal needs. "Consider what's best for you and your family and organize the fridge so that items are easy to access," says Thompson.</p><p>For example, if you have kids, you may want store healthy snacks at their eye level. Or, if you normally store water bottles or canned beverages in the fridge, you'll want to make sure you plan out the space accordingly. </p><p>Beyond personal needs, the fridge itself can guide your organization. The door and top shelf tend to be the "warmest" parts of a fridge, while the middle shelf is colder, and the bottom shelf is the coldest.</p><p>Understanding that refrigerators have warm and cold zones can help you create a system where everything has its place and food lasts longer. Here are some general guidelines.</p><h3><strong>The door</strong></h3><p>The door is the warmest part of the fridge and goes through the most fluctuations in temperature. Here, Thompson suggest storing condiments, jams, and other foods most resistant to spoiling. She also recommends storing herbs like parsley, cilantro and dill in the door — place each herb bundle in a water-field Mason jar to prolong their freshness. </p><p>Even though a carton of milk might fit perfectly in the door, it's generally not a good idea to store dairy there, and that includes eggs. Thompson recommends storing milk in the bottom shelf since it needs low temperatures to last longer.</p><h3><strong>Top and middle shelves</strong></h3><p>The top and and middle shelves are typically the second coldest zone and the temperature stays constant. Thompson says this section should be reserved for ready-to-eat or grab-and-go foods and snacks and dairy (like yogurt, sour cream, and cheeses), desserts, prepared meals, and leftovers. Uncovered items such as berries and eggs can also go in the top and middle shelves.</p><h3><strong style="color: #222222;">Lower shelves</strong></h3><p>The lowest shelf is typically the coldest part of the fridge. This section should accommodate large, heavy items (like beer bottles and soda cans) as well as meats and fish.</p><p>It's a smart idea to store meat on the bottom shelf to prevent cross-contamination in case the package leaks. To be extra safe, try storing your meat (in its original packaging) in designated clear bins, that way any possible leaks are contained to one area for easy clean up. </p><h3><strong style="color: #222222;">Crisper drawers</strong></h3><p>Refrigerators have at least one crisper drawer, but most have two — a low-humidity drawer and a high-humidity drawer. The low-humidity drawer should be used to store produce items that rot easily, such as apples, pears, and melons, whereas the high humidity drawer should be used to store leafy greens, cauliflower, and eggplant.</p><p>"Crisper drawers are designed to reduce humidity and provide added control over temperature, so it's best to keep produce there," says Thompson, adding "but fruits and veggies should not be stored together since the ethylene in fruits may cause veggies to spoil faster."</p><p><strong>Quick tip:</strong> To extend the life of salad greens like lettuce, spinach, and arugula, Thompson says you can wrap them in a damp paper towel before storing. </p><h2><strong>Remove everything and group like items together </strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Categorize your products, food products on table with labels" height="1749" width="2333" msid="90428571" hostid="261"></div>With a general layout in mind, the next step is to remove and categorize everything. <p>When taking things out, Thompson recommends throwing away items past their expiration dates, moldy items, and items that often go unused or are disliked. To categorize products, you can use sticky notes to keep track of everything. A simple category list includes:</p><ul><li>Drinks</li><li>Produce</li><li>Meats</li><li>Leftovers</li><li>Condiments </li></ul><p>After removing everything, Thomson says sanitizing every part of the inside of the fridge is essential. All removable parts should be taken out and washed with <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-dish-soap" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dish soap</a>, while other parts can be thoroughly cleaned with <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/home/best-disinfecting-cleaner" target="_blank" rel="noopener">all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes</a>. </p><p><strong>Quick tip: </strong>Removing items that do not need to be refrigerated can help free up space and improve their flavor. Common items that do not need to be stored in the fridge include citrus, onions, garlic, shallots, potatoes, tomatoes, hot sauce, nuts, and chocolate.</p><h2><strong>Use organizers to maximize space</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Types of fridge organizers, including a can dispenser, lazy susan, and stackable bins" height="1749" width="2333" msid="90428573" hostid="261"></div><p>When you're ready to put everything back in a clean fridge, consider adding organizers. Just as organizers can help you corral items in a pantry or cabinets, the same could be said with the fridge. Fridge size and design of course vary, but here are a few ideas. </p><p><strong>Take advantage of vertical and wall space. </strong>The limited space of a fridge can be a disadvantage when it comes to storage and organization, which is why Thompson recommends going vertical with stackable storage and using empty wall space. </p><p>"Consider a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GSBU1CG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">can dispenser</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-Organizer-Stackable-Plastic-Organizers/dp/B08XYNKN3F/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=fridge%2Bstackable%2Borganizer&amp;qid=1647040354&amp;sprefix=fridge%2Bstackable%2Caps%2C162&amp;sr=8-5&amp;th=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">stackable bins</a>, or a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/DecorRack-Suction-Organizer-Toiletries-Accessories/dp/B081NXFV9H/ref=sr_1_16?crid=GZ8QTEL5TNEO&amp;keywords=suction+cup+basket&amp;qid=1647040093&amp;sprefix=suction+cup+fridge+basket%2Caps%2C122&amp;sr=8-16" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">basket</a> with suction cups to hold small things that might otherwise get lost in the refrigerator like string cheese or condiment packets," she says.</p><p><strong>Use organizers and labels. </strong>When it comes to organizing, Thompson says it's best to get fun and creative with it. "Invest in a cute and functional matching or color coordinated set," she says. Add your drinks, produce, meats, leftovers, and condiments into <a href="https://www.insider.com/guides/kitchen/best-food-storage" target="_blank" rel="noopener">containers and organizers</a> and place them in their designated fridge zones to keep things neat. </p><p>"A <a href="https://www.amazon.com/mDesign-Bamboo-Kitchen-Cabinet-Organizer/dp/B0864W623C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=26QU0ZRTI589Y&amp;keywords=bamboo+fridge+organizer&amp;qid=1648049837&amp;s=home-garden&amp;sprefix=bamboo+fridge+organizer%2Cgarden%2C62&amp;sr=1-3" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">bamboo organizer</a> for eggs, a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/YouCopia-Fridge-Turntable-FridgeView-White/dp/B08HPJYZKL/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=refrigerator+lazy+susan&amp;qid=1647040559&amp;sr=8-7" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">lazy Susan</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/smartified-Organizer-Vertical-Dividers-Clamshells/dp/B09KGR2XCZ/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=fridge+divider&amp;qid=1647040442&amp;sr=8-2" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">clear dividers</a> will make it easy to get into the habit of organizing food while also seeing exactly what's there." To take it a step further, Thompson also suggests labeling everything and using <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Talented-Kitchen-Minimalist-Resistant-Organization/dp/B08KRRTXCR/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3DL7U5W9NVVGW&amp;keywords=kitchen+labels&amp;qid=1647040495&amp;sprefix=kitchen+label%2Caps%2C286&amp;sr=8-1-spons&amp;psc=1&amp;spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFSS0IzSzZKTko5TUImZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA4NTgwNDcyWkNNNFZBVFZUNzZTJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTA1NDIxMDMyT1ZZUUg3WkpFQjNTJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">uniform labels</a> that clearly define the products and are especially useful for leftovers and the date they were made. </p><p><strong>Use liners to keep things clean. </strong>Now that you're ready to put everything back in the fridge in an orderly fashion, Thompson suggests first lining drawers and shelves to maintain cleanliness. </p><p>"Line shelves with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Refrigerator-MayNest-Washable-Accessories-Organization/dp/B099LRN41K/ref=sr_1_4?crid=32H003VZNCUMK&amp;keywords=fridge+shelf+liner&amp;qid=1647039860&amp;s=home-garden&amp;sprefix=fridge+shelf+liner%2Cgarden%2C174&amp;sr=1-4" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">washable mats</a> and line drawers with paper towels or dish towels," says Thompson. "Paper towels will not only make it easier to clean up crisper drawers, but they can help keep produce fresh. Replace them every two weeks to make cleaning super easy."</p><h2><strong>Tips to keep your fridge tidy</strong></h2><p><strong></strong></p><div type="image" title="Tips and tricks to keep you fridge tidy, including a deodorizer and an eat first bin" height="1749" width="2333" msid="90428574" hostid="261"></div><ul><li><strong>Create an "eat first" bin: </strong>Thompson says this is especially helpful for those who always forget to eat their leftovers, or forget that they have them in the first place. Label this bin with the expiration date or date it was made. </li><li><strong>Follow a "one in, one out" philosophy: </strong>This is a tried-and-true method followed by professional kitchens and homeowners alike.<strong> "</strong>When you have more than one of something, put the oldest in front so it gets used first," says Thompson. "It's imperative to organize based on shelf-life."</li><li><strong>Don't overfill</strong>. Once you have organized your fridge, Thompson advises to avoid overfilling or overstocking, that way you can use up what you have and keep track of expiration dates easily. "When you buy too much food, the chances of ending up throwing it away are pretty high, especially when you have those items that make it all the way to the back of the shelves and are pretty much forgotten," says Thompson. "A crowded fridge can also lead to blocked air vents, impede air flow, and reduce energy efficiency ultimately leading to dollars down the drain."</li><li><strong>Add a deodorizer</strong>. Thompson always recommends placing a fresh deodorizer in the back of the top shelf so that your fridge not only looks great, but smells great too. "Nothing is worse than having to get a stinky whiff after opening the fridge door, especially when you're hungry," says Thompson. Baking soda is a simple and inexpensive solution, but there are sachets, patches, and specialized <a href="https://www.amazon.com/NonScents-Refrigerator-Deodorizer-1pack-Outperforms/dp/B07198XFRX" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener sponsored">deodorizers</a> for even the smelliest of fridges.  </li></ul><h2><strong>Insider's takeaway </strong></h2><p>With a clear layout plan, a categorization system, and the right organizing products, your fridge can become as aesthetically pleasing as a well-organized closet. Knowing what products belong in the appropriate fridge zones and avoiding food waste by following long term tips can help save you money and keep your fridge in tip-top shape. </p>

An organized fridge can help you reduce waste, save money, and eat better — here's how to do it

<p><em><strong><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://mars.nasa.gov/resources/22530/first-humans-on-mars/">NASA</a></span></p><p class="caption">An artist's concept depicts astronauts and human habitats on Mars.</p></div><p></p></div></div></strong></em></p><ul class="summary-list"><li>NASA and private companies like SpaceX want to send people to Mars.</li><li>A group of scientists suggest in a new paper that we should infect Mars with Earth's microbes before people land on the red planet.</li><li>These microbes could make Mars more suitable for human habitation, the researchers say.</li><li>However, this idea runs counter to NASA's policy of protecting planets and other space objects from getting contaminated with Earthly organisms.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><p>Fifty years after humans first stepped onto the moon, Mars has become the next frontier in space exploration.</p><p>On Saturday, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk unveiled a rocket prototype called Starship Mark 1: the next step in his company's quest to build a launch system called <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-mars-starship-spacex-starhopper-rocket-moon-2019-6">Starship</a> that could ferry people to the red planet. NASA, meanwhile, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-10-year-plan-lunar-base-saturn-moon-2019-7">plans to send astronauts to Mars</a> in the 2030s.</p><p><em><strong>Read More:</strong> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-starship-mars-rocket-update-mars-colonization-texas-2019-9">Elon Musk just unveiled SpaceX's audacious new plan to build cities on Mars </a></em></p><p>But for us Earthlings, surviving on a planet with a thinner atmosphere, less gravity, and minuscule amounts of oxygen presents a host of challenges. If people didn't want to spend every second in sealed suits and indoor habitats, they'd need to transform Mars to be more Earth-like. That would require adding oxygen and other gases into the atmosphere to make surface temperatures and air pressure more similar to what we're used to.</p><p>A group of scientists from Canada and Brazil says that planetary engineering could be helped along by some unexpected actors: microbes from Earth.</p><p>On our planet, microbes like Rhizobium (which converts atmospheric nitrogen to biological nitrogen that can be used by plants) help maintain the gases our atmosphere and drive our food webs. So the scientists suggest that before sending humans to Mars, we should send some microorganisms from Earth there first.</p><p>They describe this idea <a href="https://academic.oup.com/femsec/article/95/10/fiz127/5553461">in an opinion paper</a> published in the journal FEMS Microbiology Ecology.</p><p>"Life as we know it cannot exist without beneficial microorganisms," Jose Lopez, the lead author of the paper, said <a href="https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-09/nsu-nsu092319.php">in a press release</a>. "To survive on a barren (and as far as all voyages to date tell us) sterile planet, we will have to take beneficial microbes with us."</p><h2>What microbial settlers could do on Mars</h2><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>NASA via AP</span></p><p class="caption">An image of Mars provided by NASA.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Scientists estimate that there are <a href="https://www.pnas.org/content/113/21/5970.full">1 trillion microbial species</a> on Earth.</p><p>These microscopic organisms played a key role in creating a habitable atmosphere for more advanced lifeforms billions of years ago. They were some of Earth's first denizens, living in the water during a time when our planet was much hotter and lacked oxygen.</p><p>"Life on Earth started with relatively simple microorganisms which have the capacity to adapt and evolve to extreme conditions, which defined Earth's habitats in the ancient past," Lopez said. </p><p>Since unicellular microbes like cyanobacteria manufactured their own food using photosynthesis, Lopez added, they "provided most of the oxygen we now breathe more than 2 billion years ago." </p><p>If introduced to Mars, his team says, bacteria like this could perhaps function similarly - helping to create an Earth-like atmosphere and serving as the foundation of a Martian food chain.</p><p>Microbes are still critical for maintaining life on Earth today. They balance gases in the atmosphere and break down animal and plant matter to create the simple substances used at the bottom of food chains. <a href="https://www.nature.com/news/high-flying-bacteria-spark-interest-in-possible-climate-effects-1.12310">A 2013 study</a> even showed that microbes in the atmosphere contribute to precipitation levels and cloud formation on Earth. Plus, they break down sewage and toxic waste.</p><p>"If humanity is seriously contemplating colonizing Mars, another planet, or one of the nearby moons in the future, then people need to identify, understand, and send the most competitive and beneficial pioneers," Lopez and his co-authors wrote.</p><p>Another advantage of sending microbes first, the team adds, is that some of the bacteria, viruses, and fungi that support life on Earth are capable of withstanding the harsh environment of space. Scientists call these organisms extremophiles, since they can thrive in Earth's coldest, warmest, and high-pressure environments.</p><p><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tardigrades-on-moon-spacecraft-beresheet-likely-still-alive-2019-8">Tardigrades</a> are one example of an extremophile species. They can go without water and oxygen for extremely long periods of time and survive pressures up to 74,000 times the pressure we experience at sea level.</p><h2>Sending microbes to Mars violates a key tenet of NASA policy</h2><p>But there's a problem with any effort to seed Mars with microbial invaders from Earth: It would violate NASA's strict guidelines on interplanetary contamination.</p><p>The space agency's <a href="http://nodis3.gsfc.nasa.gov/displayDir.cfm?Internal_ID=N_PD_8020_007G_&amp;page_name=main&amp;search_term=8020%2E7">planetary protection policy</a> aims to prevent our planet from being infected by extraterrestrial life forms, and also to protect other planets and space objects from getting tainted by Earthly life.</p><p>Accordingly, all equipment and rockets sent into space are carefully sterilized before leaving Earth. NASA has also destroyed spacecraft to eliminate any risk spreading Earthly contamination in space. The agency's Cassini probe, which started orbiting Saturn in 2004, is a prime example: When Cassini got low on propellant in 2017, scientists opted to send it on a death spiral into Saturn to avoid any possibility that the probe could crash into Saturn's moons Enceladus or Titan. Those moons hide oceans of water and may be habitable to or even host alien life.</p><p>Such protections "preserve our ability to study other worlds as they exist in their natural states; to avoid contamination that would obscure our ability to find life elsewhere - if it exists," <a href="https://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov/overview">NASA explains</a>.</p><p>The paper authors admit that their suggestion raises some ethical concerns.</p><p>"One can rightly argue that microbes released on Mars will represent invasive species that are being introduced into an unexplored and possibly pristine ecosystem," they wrote.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/galleries/viking-in-the-oven">NASA</a></span></p><p class="caption">One of NASA's twin Viking Mars landers is placed in an oven to be sterilized for its mission to the surface of the red planet.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>But Lopez and his co-authors said it's inevitable that humanity will contaminate other places in the galaxy.</p><p>"We hypothesize the near impossibility of exploring new planets without carrying and/or delivering any microbial travellers," they wrote.</p><p>So, they added, we might as well deliberately and systematically choose which microbes we infect Mars with, "rather than sending random bacteria serendipitously hitchhiking."</p><p>In that vein, they suggest thinking of Earthly microbes as "assets" that could be critical to kick-starting life on Mars, rather than invaders to be feared.</p><h2>The researchers suggest choosing Mars-bound microbes carefully</h2><p>Lopez and his colleagues aren't saying we should send every microbe on Earth into space, though. </p><p>"We are not advocating a rush to inoculate," he said.</p><p>Rather, they suggest rigorous testing on Earth to determine which extremophiles would have the best chance of making it to and surviving on Mars. These research efforts, his group said, should supersede current endeavors to send people to Mars, since there's no point in trying to settle another planet if we don't have tools to terraform it.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/prototype-of-spacexs-starship-spacecraft-is-seen-at-the-news-photo/1171862750">Loren Elliott/Getty Images</a></span></p><p class="caption">A prototype of SpaceX's Starship launch system, called Mk 1, is seen at the company's south Texas launch facility on September 28, 2019. Future versions of Starship are being designed to take people to the moon, Mars.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>That is not the approach Elon Musk and SpaceX are taking, however. Musk wants a fully complete Starship, which could carry dozens of people, to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/28/science/elon-musk-spacex-starship.html">enter Earth's orbit</a> within six months. <a href="https://www.spacex.com/mars">The ship</a> is designed to eventually carry cargo, and then crews, to Mars by 2023 and 2024, respectively. </p><p>"I think we should really do our very best to become a multi-planet species, and we should extend consciousness beyond Earth, and we should do it now," Musk said.</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-unveils-spacex-starship-plan-mars-2019-9">Watch Elon Musk unveil his latest plan for conquering Mars</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

Before we put people on Mars, we should infect the planet with Earthly microbes, a group of scientists says

Travel means different things to different people. A short flight followed by a taxi transfer to a stylish resort with an inviting pool satisfies many people’s needs. But for those with time to spare and incurable wanderlust, there are plenty of exotic, hard-to-reach destinations that involve a lot more plan­ning than does a long weekend in Phuket.<br /><br />Mobile phone signals aren’t guaranteed in the following places but travel bragging rights definitely are. These destinations even come with their own superlatives.<br /><br />Even in a list of desolate destinations, <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong c1">Pitcairn Island</span> wins by some distance. Best known as the 18th century hiding place of mutineers from the British ship HMS Bounty, no inhabited island is further from a mainland. The British Overseas Territory is barely more accessible today than it was in 1790.<br /><br />Anyone planning to visit from Hong Kong would need to fly to <keyword id="4741" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tokyo">Tokyo</keyword> for a connection to Papeete, in Tahiti, from where there are two four-hour flights a week to Mangareva, in the Gambier Islands. It’s then a 32-hour trip to Pitcairn aboard a supply boat that departs only every three months. A few years ago, officials launched a campaign to encourage people to join the isolated community. Only one person applied.<br /><br /><br /><br />The world’s coldest permanently settled area, <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Oymyakon</span> shivers in the Siberian permafrost a two-day drive across the Russian <keyword id="101920" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tundra">tundra</keyword> from the nearest airport. Winter in the gold mining town is so frigid that drivers leave their car engines running all day to keep them from seizing up.<br /><br />Students are expected to attend classes unless the mercury falls below minus 52 degrees Celsius (-61.6 degrees Fahrenheit) and newly arrived visitors are reminded that saliva freezes in open mouths, glasses stick to faces and batteries last only a few minutes.<br /><br />Few crops survive in temperatures that can plummet to a bone-chilling minus 70 degrees and locals make do with reindeer meat, raw flesh shaved from frozen fish and ice cubes of horse blood with macaroni.<br /><br />Based on a year-round average temperature of 34.5 degrees Celsius (94.1 degrees Fahrenheit), the <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong c1">Danakil Depression</span> is the hottest place on Earth. The inhospitable desert in northern <keyword id="61936" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ethiopia">Ethiopia</keyword> is also one of the lowest points on the planet, at 125 metres below sea level.<br /><br />Visitors need to tread carefully – the surreal landscape is littered with sulphur springs, geysers, acidic pools, huge salt pans, volcanoes and multicoloured mineral lakes. Amazingly, there is human activity at the “gateway to hell”. More than 700 officially registered salt miners toil in the furnace-like conditions for about US$7 per day.<br /><br />Located in the Bay of Bengal, more than 1,300km (807 miles) off the east coast of India, the <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Andaman Islands</span> are the peaks of a submerged <keyword id="6439698" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="20" keywordseo="mountain">mountain</keyword> range. The tropical archipelago boasts pristine beaches, coral reefs and an abundance of wildlife.<br /><br />Of the 572 islands, only about 30 are inhabited, one of which is regarded as the most difficult place to set foot on as it’s home to the world’s most isolated tribe. North Sentinel Island gained notoriety last year when an American tourist was killed by bow and arrow-wielding Sentinelese warriors, having ignored warnings from fisherman not to go ashore.<br /><br />An out-of-the-way settlement in a hard-to-reach country, <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong c1">Ittoqqortoormiit</span> is the remotest inhabited community in the western hemisphere. Weekly flights to this distant corner of Greenland require an onward helicopter transfer to the village, although for a month or two in summer, cruise ships are able to negotiate the ice­berg-infested waters.<br /><br />The 450 inhabitants rely on fishing and hunting (including an annual quota of 35 polar bears) for survival and let off steam by dog sledding and snowmobile camping trips along the banks of Scoresby Sund. The world’s longest fjord serves as a gateway to Northeast Greenland National Park, the world’s largest.<br /><br /><br />The luxury resorts of the Maldives are easy enough to reach, usually with a sea­plane or speedboat transfer after a long-haul flight. For something more quirky, book a flight to <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Gan</span>.<br /><br />From 1941 to 1976, the southernmost island in the archipelago served as a British Navy and <keyword id="113964" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Royal-Air-Force">Royal Air Force</keyword> base. Much of the military infrastructure remains, including the airfield, parade ground, a mildewing art deco cinema and rows of low-rise garrison buildings. The British also built a causeway linking Gan to three neighbouring islands – the resulting 18km (11-mile) road is the longest in the Maldives.<br /><br />The beguiling beauty of <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Wadi Rum</span> feels older than time. For centuries only nomadic Bedouins were able to survive in the inhospitable desert, situated in the far south of Jordan, the safest country in the Middle East. Then along came charismatic British officer T.E. Lawrence (of Arabia), who led an Arab revolt against the Ottoman Empire from Wadi Rum during the first world war.<br /><br />His description of the other­worldly desert formations and empty landscape as “vast, echoing and God-like” is as accurate today as it was a century ago.<br /><br /><br /><br />Gan, in the Maldives. Photo: Tim Pile<br /><br />The most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, volcanic <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong"><keyword id="1046045" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tristan-da-Cunha">Tristan da Cunha</keyword></span> lies 2,432km (1,511 miles) west of Cape Town. Another British Overseas Territory, the main island is home to 246 residents with nine different surnames. About 400km (249 miles) south and unin­habit­ed except for six weather station personnel, <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong c1">Gough Island</span> is possib­ly the world’s least accessible world heritage site.<br /><br />Appropriately enough, it shares the Unesco designation with <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Inaccessible Island</span>, 30km (19 miles) southwest of Tristan. The only way of reaching this far-flung South Atlantic bolt-hole is by ship from Cape Town – a seven-day sailing that operates nine times a year.<br /><br />More than six million tourists visited Grand Canyon National Park in 2018 but hidden away in the craggy sandstone formations lies the only village inside the canyon. <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong c1">Supai</span> is the capital of the <keyword id="8232283" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Havasupai">Havasupai</keyword> Indian Reservation and the “people of the blue-green water” inhabit what has been described as the most remote community in the lower 48 states.<br /><br />Despite being just 13km (8 miles) from the nearest road, the only way to reach the settlement and stunning turquoise waterfalls is by helicopter, mule or on foot.<br /><br />Located 480km (298 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, <span class="generic-article__body article-details-type--strong content--strong">Utqiagvik</span>, <keyword id="20636" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Alaska">Alaska</keyword>, is the northernmost town in the United States. When the sun sets in mid-November, it doesn’t rise again for 65 days. There are no roads in or out, so the Iñupiaq Eskimo settlement is accessible only by plane from Anchorage, or barge during the brief summer months. Locals still hunt and fish, but that’s partly because supermarket prices are among the highest in the world.<br />

12 of the most remote travel destinations on Earth, each with its own superlative

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Peter Wollinga/Shutterstock</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><ul><li><strong>Seasonal Affective Disorder is a serious depression that affects a small minority of the population.</strong></li><li><strong>But changing seasons and darker days affect most people's behavior, including our cell phone activity.</strong></li><li><strong>Psychologists say there are a few simple ways to help maintain mental health in the winter.</strong></li></ul><p><br />The idea that our mood might darken in the dark winter days has been around for millennia. </p><p>The coldest months of the year were a terrible time for the Greek Gods: Persephone was banished to the underworld every winter, while Boreas ushered in the cool winter winds and his nasty temper. Later, Shakespeare wrote, "a sad tale's best for winter."</p><p>Well, bring on the sad tales, because we're barreling towards the darkest day of the year. On December 21, people in New York will get just over 9 hours 15 minutes of sun, while in Anchorage, Alaska there'll be fewer than 5 and a half hours.</p><h2>A correlation between lower latitudes and less seasonal sadness</h2><p>The idea that darker days could make a portion of the population susceptible to depression wasn't picked up by modern clinicians until the 1980s, when South African psychiatrist Norman Rosenthal moved to the US and noticed a change in his mood during the New York winters.<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tjensen00/12645787634">Ted Jensen/Flickr</a></span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>He wondered whether he felt more glum and low-energy because the days were darker than in his home city of Johannesburg.<br /><br />Rosenthal put the question to the masses in the <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1981/06/12/healthtalk-seasons-of-the-psyche/f744a361-b849-4c1f-925d-c32845a11897/?utm_term=.c5b059d7dfaa%20">Washington Post</a> in 1981, saying he wanted to hear from anyone who felt sad in the wintertime and had "gone through enough cycles to know that this is going to happen again." </p><p>The results of his subsequent telephone surveys were conclusive - he found a clear correlation between lower latitudes and sunnier dispositions. Only about 1% of people living in Florida reported experiencing sadness, Rosenthal found, while nearly 10% of those in dark corners of the country like Alaska and New Hampshire said they were feeling down.</p><p>Rosenthal also found that <a href="https://www.normanrosenthal.com/seasonal-affective-disorder/">women between the ages of 20 and 40</a> were twice as likely to have SAD compared to men, and suggested the hormones estrogen and progesterone may have an impact.</p><p>His new term for this seasonally-linked depression, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), was first included in the 'DSM' - the go-to-guide for psychologists and mental health experts - in 1987.</p><p>According to the DSM, people who have SAD are excessively fatigued, lose interest in their hobbies, tend to crave more starches and sweets, may gain seasonal weight, and have difficulty concentrating during darker months.</p><p>If you suspect you have this type of depression, it's best to see a professional - don't try to diagnose it on your own.</p><h2>But is SAD a real thing?</h2><p>Recently there's been some debate about whether 'SAD' deserves its place among other disorders. Psychologist Steven LoBello <a href="http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2167702615615867">published a study</a> of nearly 35,000 Americans in 2016 that found no variation in their depression that could be explained by latitudes or seasonal changes.</p><p>"The belief that winter is a cause of depression, sadness, 'the blues' is very widespread in western culture," LoBello told Business Insider. But just because we believe we have SAD, he said, doesn't mean we really do.</p><p>LoBello's study, however, didn't rule out the possibility that major depression with seasonal variation exists for a very small portion of the population.</p><p>That's an assessment other clinicians largely agree with. Kelly Rohan, who studies adult mood disorders and SAD therapies at the University of Vermont, said estimates that up to 10% of people in places like Alaska have SAD are likely due to overstated self-reports. The real number of people with SAD is probably between 1-2%, she said.</p><p>"It's going to be a pretty pervasive mood state that is going to affect the person for four to five months of the year," Rohan told Business Insider. "It's not going to wax and wane depending on what's going on at work."</p><h2>What you can do about SAD</h2><p>There are at least three ways that people who've been diagnosed with SAD can combat the problem. </p><p><strong>Light therapy boxes</strong></p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>Shutterstock</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>Artifically adding some bright light to the dark days via a light therapy box (some people call these 'happy lamps' or phototherapy boxes) can help - when used regularly and as prescribed. The boxes are meant to mimic natural, outdoor light, and researchers believe they can cause some chemical shifts in a depressed brain. Most emit more than 10,000 lux (for comparison, a typical house lamp emits around 50-80 lux, and office lights about 500 lux.)</p><p>Good light therapy boxes are designed to filter out damaging UV light, however, these are not FDA-regulated so it can be tricky to find a reliable one.  </p><p>The bulbs, which are usually white florescent and may carry the full spectrum of light, can come with side effects like mild sunburns, eye strain, and migraines. On the more serious side, <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9378689">some research has suggested</a> the lights can increase thoughts of suicide, or trigger mania. </p><p>The <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20364722">Mayo Clinic</a> says they should be used in the morning, and patients should spend around a half hour of time in front of their lights after waking up. But again, it's not a device that should be self-prescribed.  </p><p>"Just because you can walk into Costco and buy one doesn't mean that you should," Rohan said.</p><p><strong>Drugs</strong></p><p>Because SAD is a form of depression, antidepressants that increase serotonin in the brain and pharmaceuticals that treat major depressive disorders - particularly B<span>upropion, or Wellbutrin XL - have </span>also been shown to work.</p><p><strong>Cognitive Behavioral Therapy</strong></p><p>CBT is a form of talk therapy that's meant to change a person's patterns of doing and thinking. Rohan said that with the approach,"we're working with a person to identify negative thought patterns and habits" and then break them. </p><p>For example: "If the person is having the repetitive thought of ' I hate winter,' we might change that to 'I prefer summer to winter,' which is more of a neutral thought," she said. <br /><br />Unlike light therapy, which is palliative (you have to keep doing it to reap the benefits) CBT can have a lasting effect from year to year, so the treatment is more of a long-term solution, Rohan said. <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/stanford-therapy-chatbot-depression-woebot-google-ai-2017-10">Startups in Silicon Valley</a> are working to bring this kind of talk therapy to the masses with inexpensive texting apps and chatbots.</p><h2>What to do about winter blues, even if you don't have SAD</h2><p>Most people feel a little down in the winter months - it's a time of year when <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/holiday.html">depression rates spike</a> (though suicides don't). Some clinicians refer to this sub-syndromal kind of doldrum as 'S-SAD.'<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span><a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?search=sunrise+winter&amp;title=Special:Search&amp;profile=default&amp;fulltext=1&amp;searchToken=bmuxl88vllsadkrryge8ory79#/media/File:Sunrise_Karkonosze_winter.jpg">Wikimedia Commons</a></span></p><p class="caption">Winter sunrise in Karkonosze, Poland.</p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p>And there's no doubt that seasonal changes impact on our routines. A <a href="http://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.1005824">November 2017 study</a> studied cell phone use data from a million people living in densely packed, artificially lit European cities. The researchers found that people were up and on the phone well past 11 or 11:30 p.m. in the summer months, while in the winter, they stopped gabbing by 10:30.</p><p>Here are some things that can help.</p><p><strong>Go for a walk first thing in the morning, just after the sunrise.</strong></p><p>"Light therapy is based on the theory that the biological clock becomes sluggish in the wintertime due to later dawns," Rohan said.</p><p>With a morning walk, you're getting aerobic exercise (<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/best-exercise-for-brain-mental-health-2017-10">always helpful for mental health</a>) while the light is jump-starting your circadian clock.</p><p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><p class="source"><span>REUTERS/Eric Miller</span></p></div><p></p></div></div></p><p><strong>Don't shift your routine to the couch.</strong></p><p>The fact that it's dark and cold at the end of a work day isn't a good reason to ditch your gym routine. Keep staying active, and if you enjoy winter sports, bundle up and get out there.</p><p><strong>Make an effort not to change your activity level too much.</strong></p><p>During the darker months, continue seeing people, making dates with friends, and keeping appointments. The Swedes deal with <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/mys-swedish-tradition-helps-cope-with-winter-2017-11">their 24-hour dark days</a> by celebrating '<em>mys</em>': their annual winter tradition of getting cozy, relaxing with friends, and eating delicious food. </p>     <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/how-get-rid-negative-thoughts-psychologist-depression-2016-11">A psychologist reveals how to get rid of negative thoughts</a></h3>        <div>                    </div>    </div>

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