Modern science posits that our universe was born approximately 13.8 billion years ago from the explosion of a singularity, a point with infinite mass, energy, heat, density, and an infinitely small volume. After this singularity exploded, our universe rapidly expanded in all directions. It took 13.8 billion years for the universe to expand into the form we see today. Celestial bodies in the universe were all born after the Big Bang, and our Earth is a product of this event. Earth is part of the solar system, which contains eight major planets, and Earth is the only one that has given rise to life. The planet is also rich in various resources, such as oil, coal, natural gas, combustible ice, and so on. Water resources on Earth are also very abundant, accounting for 71% of the Earth's total surface area, while land area makes up 29% of the total surface area, with one-third of that being desert. The largest desert in China is the Taklamakan Desert.

The formation of the Taklamakan Desert is the result of a combination of factors, including the following aspects: geological structure, where the Tarim Basin has long been in a relatively stable tectonic environment throughout geological history, leading to crustal subsidence and the formation of a large sedimentary basin; climatic factors, being inland and far from the ocean, moist air currents struggle to reach the area, resulting in a dry climate with scarce precipitation and high evaporation rates, which is the main reason for desert formation; surrounding mountains, such as the Tian Shan and Kunlun Mountains, block the entry of oceanic moisture, making the basin even drier; and the action of wind, where strong winds continuously erode and transport surface materials over time, promoting the expansion of the desert and the formation of sand dunes. These factors, combined, have gradually shaped the Taklamakan Desert. Located in southern Xinjiang, China, it is the largest desert in China and the tenth largest in the world. The name of this desert means "you can enter but cannot leave" in the Uighur language, hence it is also known as the "Sea of Death."

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The desert covers an area of about 330,000 square kilometers, equivalent to the size of three Zhejiang provinces! The climate here is extremely arid, with annual precipitation usually less than 100 millimeters, but evaporation rates range between 2,500 and 3,500 millimeters. This means that raindrops can evaporate and disappear almost as soon as they hit the ground. The terrain of the entire desert is dominated by shifting sand dunes, which vary in height, generally ranging from 100 to 200 meters, with some reaching up to 300 meters. The desert landscape is incredibly diverse, with some dunes resembling dragons winding across the landscape, and others arranged like fish scales. This desert is a warm temperate arid desert with very pronounced continental climate characteristics. During the hot summer, temperatures can reach up to 67 degrees Celsius, with diurnal temperature variations of up to 40 degrees Celsius, and annual precipitation is very low, typically around 20 millimeters, with an average annual precipitation not exceeding 100 millimeters, and the lowest being only 5 millimeters, while the average evaporation rate is as high as 2,500-3,400 millimeters.

In the desert, vegetation is extremely scarce, and most areas lack plant cover. Sparse plants can be seen in the depressions between dunes, and animal species are also relatively rare. Only in the edge areas of the desert and in ancient and modern river valleys and deltas with water and grass do animal species become more diverse, including antelopes, wild boars, lynxes, Tarim hares, wild horses, swans, woodpeckers, wolves, foxes, and sand boas. Although the desert is now very desolate, the Taklamakan Desert has a glorious historical culture, with the ancient Silk Road passing through its southern end. There are ancient city ruins of the Western Regions' kingdoms of Jingjue, Mi, and Huo in the heart of the desert. On the red and white mountains by the Hetian River, there are still ancient fortresses built during the Tang Dynasty. Many archaeological materials here testify to the prosperity of the past. However, in recent years, this extremely arid desert has experienced frequent rainfall and even floods, which is astonishing given its inherently dry nature.

In July 2021, a sudden flood hit the Yuchi area of the Northwest Oilfield of Sinopec, submerging the roads in the oil field. The need for flood control in the desert left many people puzzled. In 2022, the Taklamakan Desert made headlines again as the Tarim River, influenced by the dual effects of high summer temperatures and heavy rain, swelled and overflowed its banks, creating many small lakes. These lakes, under the sun's rays, formed a stark contrast with the surrounding yellow sands, creating a spectacular sight. Why have the climatic changes in the desert been so rapid in recent years? In response to the abnormal weather phenomena of recent years, many experts have conducted in-depth analyses. Experts point out that these extreme weather events are mainly caused by global warming. Rising temperatures can cause snow on mountains to melt quickly and also bring more rainfall. Scientists believe that the main causes of global warming include the following aspects:1. Emission of greenhouse gases: This is the primary cause of global warming. Human activities, such as the combustion of fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) for electricity generation, transportation, and industrial production, as well as deforestation and agricultural activities, release large amounts of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) into the atmosphere. These gases can absorb and retain heat from the sun, leading to an increase in the Earth's surface temperature.

2. Industrial activities: The emission of various chemical substances during industrial production processes, such as Freon, also contributes to global warming.

3. Deforestation: The large-scale cutting down of forests reduces the ability of plants to absorb carbon dioxide through photosynthesis, and the decaying process of felled trees releases carbon dioxide.

4. Population growth: As the population increases, the demand for energy rises, leading to more greenhouse gas emissions.

The greenhouse effect poses many dangers to humanity, such as rising sea levels, climate warming leading to the melting of polar and high-altitude glaciers, and thermal expansion of seawater, which causes the sea level to rise continuously. This threatens the ecosystems and human settlements in coastal areas and low-lying islands, potentially leading to the inundation of coastal cities. An increase in climate anomalies and extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and heavy rains, may occur more frequently. Most importantly, the emergence of the greenhouse effect has led to the melting of glaciers in the Antarctic and Arctic. According to scientific research, if all the Arctic glaciers melt, it will accelerate the melting of Antarctic glaciers. This is because Arctic glaciers are white, and white reflects the heat of sunlight, causing a portion of the solar heat to be reflected back.

However, if all the Arctic glaciers were to melt, the Earth would receive more heat, leading to accelerated melting of Antarctic glaciers. Scientists have found that if the glaciers in both the Antarctic and Arctic were to melt completely, sea levels would rise by at least 60 meters, submerging many cities. Moreover, the melting of glaciers would exacerbate global warming. Once the glaciers melt, the exposed land and water surfaces would absorb more solar heat, further intensifying global warming. This could also affect atmospheric and oceanic circulation, altering global and local climate patterns, and leading to frequent occurrences of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, hurricanes, and heavy rains. Glaciers are important freshwater reserves, and their melting could cause an increase in water volume in the short term, triggering disasters like floods and landslides. In the long term, as glaciers recede, regions that rely on glacial meltwater for their water supply will face water scarcity.

Many populations worldwide depend on glacial water supply, such as Asian countries like China, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Bhutan, as well as South American countries like Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador. These countries are all threatened by the risk of water resource crises, especially during dry seasons. The reduction and deterioration of water resources will affect people's needs for drinking, irrigation, power generation, industry, and so on, thereby affecting economic development and social stability. If the rainfall in the Taklamakan Desert increases, could this area potentially become an oasis in the future? Due to the strengthening of the Atlantic warm current and the westerly circulation bringing more moist air to Northwest China, the region has become more humid. Additionally, the warming of the Arctic leads to the southward movement of cold air, which, in conjunction with the moisture from the Pacific Ocean, transports a large amount of water vapor to the northwest, increasing precipitation in the southern Xinjiang region year by year. The intensity of individual rainfall events has also significantly increased, leading to frequent floods and the formation of lakes in the desert.However, these rainfalls are not sufficient to completely transform the ecological environment of this desert. Moreover, many of the lakes in the desert are temporary and will disappear soon due to evaporation and seepage. The likelihood of the desert turning into an oasis in the short term is not high. However, frequent rainfall will certainly have some impact on the greening of the desert. Scientists have pointed out that as long as artificial means can continuously deliver water resources to the desert, partial greening in some areas of the desert can occur. Nevertheless, from the changes in the desert, we can see that the Earth's environment is accelerating its change and becoming increasingly worse. The Earth is the home on which humans depend for survival. If the Earth's environment is destroyed, it will be difficult for humans to survive in the future. Therefore, protecting the Earth's environment is protecting our own home. Currently, scientists have also formulated many plans in response to the trend of global warming.

For example, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy transformation: increasing the development and utilization of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and biomass energy, gradually reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and improving energy efficiency: promoting energy-saving technologies and optimizing energy use, such as raising energy efficiency standards in industries, transportation, and construction, adopting cleaner production technologies and processes, and controlling industrial exhaust emissions. Such long-term accumulation may be able to change the Earth's environment. In addition, humans should actively research clean energy sources, such as controlled nuclear fusion technology. This technology is also known as the artificial sun. Nuclear fusion, in simple terms, is the process of combining two atoms into a heavier atom, which results in some mass loss. The lost mass is converted into energy. According to the mass-energy equation E=mc^2, even a small amount of mass loss can produce a tremendous amount of energy. It is precisely because of this that many countries are actively researching controlled nuclear fusion technology.

Among the many projects related to controlled nuclear fusion research, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is the most eye-catching, abbreviated as ITER. The plan was initiated in 1985, and our country signed the ITER agreement in 2006 to participate. To date, the cost of construction and operation of ITER has exceeded 10 billion euros, and the council of the research reactor has also requested that the seven member countries involved in the project increase their payments by 4 billion euros in the future. The huge investment, coupled with the difficult challenges, has made the research on controlled nuclear fusion somewhat weary. The difficulties include extremely high temperatures, controlling the density of the reactants, and finding ways to use magnetic fields to confine the entire reaction process. If humans can overcome these difficulties, then we are one step closer to achieving controlled nuclear fusion technology. This technology not only has great achievements in the field of energy but can also lead to significant breakthroughs in human technology.

If we can apply controlled nuclear fusion technology to spacecraft, it can enhance the flight speed of the spacecraft. Currently, human spacecraft are unable to leave the solar system. For example, the Voyager 1 probe has been flying in space for more than 40 years, and it has not yet left the solar system because its flight speed is not fast enough. Scientists believe that if we can significantly increase the flight speed of spacecraft, it would be much easier for humans to leave the solar system. If humans want to immigrate to other planets in the future, leaving the solar system is a necessary step. Currently, scientists have discovered many Earth-like planets in the universe, such as Kepler-452b, Kepler-22b, Proxima Centauri b, and so on. These planets may have already given birth to life. The best way to understand these planets more is to land on them personally, which can truly reveal the mysteries of these planets.

The editor believes that as the most intelligent life on Earth, human technology is continuously progressing and developing. As long as humans can persist in their efforts, with the advancement of human technology in the future, humans will definitely be able to completely unravel this mystery. At that time, human immigration will be imminent. The editor hopes that humans can realize their dreams as soon as possible, and human civilization can be passed down forever. What do you think about this?