The End of 2016

During my ongoing literature review I often discover interesting facts about things I’ve never thought about. Sometimes I can connect these facts with my own observations: The result is mostly a completely new idea why things are as they are. Maybe these ideas are new to you, too. Therefore I’ll share my new science based knowledge with you!

This week: This time, I think about the year 2016.

Today is the last day of 2016 and I am once again a bit surprised that another year comes to an end. Although the year had many great as well as concerning events, it does not feel as if an entire year has passed since I wrote the last end-of-the-year blog entry.

Personally, 2016 had some very exciting and amazing moments in stock for me. The probably most important events were my two journeys to the North. The first journey brought me to winterly Iceland which surprised me with beautiful frozen waterfalls and hot steaming geothermal active areas in the middle of the snow covered landscape. The second big journey of 2016 was a trip to the Norwegian North Cape and brought me to 8 spectacular locations all across Norway. Amongst other things, I saw huge glaciers, the Arctic Circle, the famous Northern Lights Cathedral as well as the North Cape.

Unfortunately, 2016 was also the year of the patience. For instance, I am already waiting for nine months for some feedback on one of my research papers that will act as a foundation for three additional papers that will present the results of three different studies. As long as I do not get feedback, all my other papers have to remain drafts which is quite frustrating. The only good thing is that I managed to publish a small poster paper at least.

In addition, 2016 has surprised the world with many sad and concerning things. The year broke many global temperature records and demonstrated the dangerous effects of the on going global warming. Only if we act now, we might be able to limit the effects of global warming and protect our Earth. Unfortunately, leaders who deny global warming and the fact that man made emissions are the main reason for it got elected. Those leaders are also the biggest uncertainty about the next year.

In the end, 2016 was a year full of preparational work that will hopefully result in many good outcomes during the year 2017. I just need to keep on pursuing my goals and continue to work despite all the brick walls that emerged in my way. Maybe a bit of luck is needed, too, but I do not like to rely on luck … In this case, 2017 has the potential to become a great year and I am looking forward to it!

Let us make 2017 to a great and fantastic year we will never forget and always look back to it with joy!

Happy New Year!