/* ============================================================
   NC DESIGN SYSTEM — nc-bridge.verity.one
   Crystal-clear waters. Healthy environment. TRUTH MATTERS®
   Light, clean, alive — like looking to the bottom of clear water.
   ============================================================ */
:root{
  --ink:#1a3a4a;
  --ink-2:#2a5060;
  --water:#2a9db8;          /* sunlit shallow water */
  --water-deep:#1a8aa0;
  --tide:#38b2ce;           /* light tide, sparkling */
  --sky:#e8f6fa;            /* pale sky reflected */
  --foam:#f2fafb;           /* seafoam — barely there */
  --sand:#faf8f2;           /* warm sand, sun-bleached */
  --glass:#ffffff;          /* crystal clear */
  --kelp:#3aaa6d;           /* healthy seagrass */
  --kelp-soft:#e8f7ee;
  --coral:#e8856a;          /* living reef accent */
  --brass:#b98a2f;          /* torch brass — heritage */
  --brass-soft:#f5ecd6;
  --line:#dceef2;
  --line-soft:#edf7f9;
  --muted:#6a8e9a;
  --good:#2a8a4a;
  --serif:Georgia,'Times New Roman',serif;
  --sans:-apple-system,BlinkMacSystemFont,'Segoe UI',Roboto,Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;
}
*{box-sizing:border-box;margin:0;padding:0}
body{font:16px/1.65 var(--sans);color:var(--ink);background:var(--glass)}
img{max-width:100%;display:block}
a{color:var(--water-deep)}
a:hover{color:var(--tide)}
.wrap{max-width:1080px;margin:0 auto;padding:0 24px}

/* ---- shell ---- */
.topbar{position:sticky;top:0;background:rgba(255,255,255,.92);backdrop-filter:blur(12px);
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);z-index:10}
.topbar .wrap{display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:space-between;height:64px}
.brand{display:flex;gap:10px;align-items:center;text-decoration:none;color:var(--ink)}
.brand .mark{width:34px;height:34px;border-radius:9px;
  background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--water),var(--tide));color:#fff;
  display:grid;place-items:center;font-weight:800}
.brand small{display:block;color:var(--muted);font-size:11px;letter-spacing:.04em}
nav.main a{margin-left:22px;text-decoration:none;color:var(--ink-2);font-weight:600;font-size:14px;
  transition:color .15s}
nav.main a:hover{color:var(--water)}
footer{border-top:1px solid var(--line);margin-top:80px;padding:36px 0;color:var(--muted);font-size:13px}
footer .tm{color:var(--ink);font-weight:700}

/* ---- narrative hero (nc_hub) — light, airy, crystal water ---- */
.hero-water{background:
  linear-gradient(175deg, var(--sky) 0%, var(--foam) 40%, var(--glass) 100%);
  color:var(--ink);padding:96px 0 88px;position:relative;overflow:hidden}
.hero-water::before{content:'';position:absolute;top:-60%;right:-20%;width:80%;height:160%;
  background:radial-gradient(ellipse,rgba(42,157,184,.08),transparent 70%);pointer-events:none}
.hero-water .eyebrow{color:var(--water-deep)}
.hero-water h1{font:800 clamp(38px,6vw,64px)/1.05 var(--sans);letter-spacing:-.02em;max-width:17ch;
  color:var(--ink)}
.hero-water .lede{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:clamp(18px,2.2vw,22px);color:var(--ink-2);
  max-width:52ch;margin-top:18px}
.hero-water .tm{color:var(--water-deep);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.06em}
.eyebrow{font-size:12px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.14em;text-transform:uppercase;
  color:var(--water);margin-bottom:14px}
.hero-media{margin-top:34px;border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid var(--line);
  box-shadow:0 20px 60px rgba(42,157,184,.1)}
.hero-media figcaption{background:var(--sky);color:var(--ink-2);font-size:13px;padding:10px 16px}
.media-slot{aspect-ratio:21/9;display:grid;place-items:center;
  background:linear-gradient(135deg,var(--sky),var(--foam),rgba(42,157,184,.06));
  color:var(--muted);font-size:14px;letter-spacing:.05em}

/* ---- impact strip ---- */
.impact{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(230px,1fr));gap:16px;
  margin:-42px auto 0;position:relative;max-width:1080px;padding:0 24px}
.impact .stat{background:var(--glass);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:14px;padding:20px 22px;
  box-shadow:0 8px 30px rgba(42,157,184,.06)}
.impact .n{font:800 30px/1 var(--sans);color:var(--water)}
.impact .h{font-family:var(--serif);color:var(--ink-2);margin-top:8px;font-size:15px}

/* ---- the contrast block ---- */
.contrast-block{display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;border-radius:16px;overflow:hidden;
  border:1px solid var(--line);margin:64px 0;box-shadow:0 12px 40px rgba(42,157,184,.06)}
.contrast-block>div{padding:36px 34px}
.contrast-block .them{background:var(--sand);color:var(--ink-2)}
.contrast-block .us{background:var(--foam);color:var(--ink)}
.contrast-block h3{font:800 15px/1 var(--sans);letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;margin-bottom:14px}
.contrast-block .them h3{color:var(--coral)}
.contrast-block .us h3{color:var(--water-deep)}
.contrast-block p{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:18px;line-height:1.7}
.contrast-block .verdict{margin-top:16px;font-weight:800;font-family:var(--sans);letter-spacing:.02em;
  color:var(--water-deep)}
@media(max-width:760px){.contrast-block{grid-template-columns:1fr}}

/* ---- cards — clean, airy, gentle lift ---- */
.grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(280px,1fr));gap:18px;margin-top:26px}
.card{border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;background:var(--glass);
  text-decoration:none;color:inherit;transition:box-shadow .2s ease,transform .2s ease}
.card:hover{box-shadow:0 14px 40px rgba(42,157,184,.1);transform:translateY(-3px)}
.card .thumb{aspect-ratio:16/9;background:linear-gradient(140deg,var(--sky),var(--foam),rgba(58,170,109,.05));overflow:hidden}
.card .thumb img{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:cover;transition:transform .28s ease}
.card:hover .thumb img{transform:scale(1.03)}
.card .pad{padding:16px 18px 20px}
.card h4{font-size:17px;margin-bottom:6px;color:var(--ink)}
.card p{color:var(--muted);font-size:14px}
.section{margin-top:72px}
.section>.eyebrow{margin-bottom:6px}
.section>h2{font:800 30px/1.2 var(--sans);letter-spacing:-.01em;color:var(--ink)}
.section>.sub{font-family:var(--serif);color:var(--muted);margin-top:8px;max-width:60ch}

/* ---- physical CTAs ---- */
.cta-row{display:flex;gap:14px;flex-wrap:wrap;margin-top:30px}
.btn{display:inline-block;padding:13px 22px;border-radius:10px;font-weight:800;text-decoration:none;
  transition:background .15s,transform .1s}
.btn:active{transform:translateY(1px)}
.btn.oar{background:var(--water);color:#fff}
.btn.oar:hover{background:var(--water-deep)}
.btn.ghost{border:2px solid var(--line);color:var(--ink-2);background:var(--glass)}
.btn.ghost:hover{border-color:var(--water);color:var(--water)}
.btn.ghost.dark{border-color:var(--water);color:var(--water)}

/* ---- torch section — the one solemn moment, still warm not dark ---- */
.torch{background:linear-gradient(180deg,var(--sky) 0%, var(--foam) 100%);
  color:var(--ink);padding:96px 0;margin:72px 0;border-top:1px solid var(--line);
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--line)}
.torch .wrap{max-width:760px}
.torch .kicker{color:var(--brass);font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.14em;
  text-transform:uppercase;font-size:12px}
.torch h2{font:800 34px/1.15 var(--sans);margin:14px 0 30px;color:var(--ink)}
.torch p{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:19px;line-height:1.85;margin-bottom:22px;
  color:var(--ink-2)}
.torch blockquote{border-left:3px solid var(--brass);padding:6px 0 6px 26px;margin:34px 0;
  font-family:var(--serif);font-size:21px;line-height:1.8;color:var(--ink)}
.torch .charter{margin-top:38px;padding-top:30px;border-top:1px solid var(--line);
  font-family:var(--sans);font-weight:700;letter-spacing:.01em;color:var(--ink)}
.torch .tm{color:var(--brass)}

/* ---- article body ---- */
.article .wrap{max-width:760px}
.article h1{font:800 clamp(34px,5vw,52px)/1.1 var(--sans);letter-spacing:-.02em;margin:26px 0 10px;
  color:var(--ink)}
.article .lede{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:20px;color:var(--ink-2)}
.article h3{font-size:22px;margin:44px 0 12px;color:var(--ink)}
.article p{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:18px;line-height:1.8;margin-bottom:18px;color:var(--ink-2)}
.article ul{margin:0 0 18px 22px;font-family:var(--serif);font-size:17px;line-height:1.8;color:var(--ink-2)}
.hands-media{border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;border:1px solid var(--line);margin:30px 0;
  box-shadow:0 10px 30px rgba(42,157,184,.06)}
.hands-media img{width:100%;aspect-ratio:16/7;object-fit:cover}
.hands-media figcaption{font-size:13px;color:var(--muted);padding:10px 16px;background:var(--sky)}
.outro-mission{margin-top:56px;padding:26px 30px;background:var(--foam);border-left:4px solid var(--water);
  border-radius:0 12px 12px 0;font-family:var(--serif);font-size:17px;color:var(--ink-2)}
.validator-strip{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:10px;margin:22px 0}
.validator-strip span{background:var(--foam);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:999px;
  padding:7px 14px;font-size:13px;font-weight:600;color:var(--ink-2)}

/* ---- nc_edu hero ---- */
.edu-hero{background:linear-gradient(175deg, var(--sky) 0%, var(--foam) 50%, var(--glass) 100%);
  color:var(--ink);padding:80px 0 60px;position:relative}
.edu-hero::before{content:'';position:absolute;top:-40%;right:-15%;width:60%;height:140%;
  background:radial-gradient(ellipse,rgba(42,157,184,.06),transparent 70%);pointer-events:none}
.edu-hero h1{font:800 clamp(34px,5vw,52px)/1.1 var(--sans);letter-spacing:-.02em;max-width:20ch}
.edu-hero .lede{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:clamp(17px,2vw,20px);color:var(--ink-2);
  max-width:56ch;margin-top:14px}

/* ---- stat strip (species quick-nav) ---- */
.stat-strip{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fit,minmax(220px,1fr));gap:14px;
  margin:40px 0 56px}
.stat-card{display:block;background:var(--glass);border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:12px;
  padding:18px 20px;text-decoration:none;color:inherit;
  transition:box-shadow .2s ease,transform .2s ease,border-color .2s ease}
.stat-card:hover{box-shadow:0 10px 30px rgba(42,157,184,.1);transform:translateY(-2px);
  border-color:var(--water)}
.sc-label{font:800 15px/1 var(--sans);color:var(--water);margin-bottom:8px;letter-spacing:.02em}
.sc-body{font-size:13.5px;color:var(--ink-2);line-height:1.5}

/* ---- species fact grid ---- */
.species-facts{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(160px,1fr));gap:10px;
  margin:20px 0 24px}
.species-facts .fact{background:var(--foam);border:1px solid var(--line-soft);border-radius:10px;
  padding:12px 14px}
.species-facts .fk{font-size:10px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.1em;text-transform:uppercase;
  color:var(--muted);margin-bottom:3px}
.species-facts .fv{font-size:14px;font-weight:600;color:var(--ink)}

/* ---- approval boundary panel ---- */
.governance{margin:56px 0 32px;padding:22px 26px;background:var(--foam);border:1px solid var(--line);
  border-radius:12px}
.gov-title{font:800 12px/1 var(--sans);letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;
  color:var(--muted);margin-bottom:14px}
.governance ul{list-style:none;padding:0}
.governance li{font-size:14px;color:var(--ink-2);padding:6px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-soft)}
.governance li:last-child{border-bottom:none}
.governance li strong{color:var(--water-deep)}

/* ---- step list (measurement protocol) ---- */
.step-list{margin:28px 0}
.step{display:grid;grid-template-columns:44px 1fr;gap:16px;padding:20px 0;
  border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-soft)}
.step:last-child{border-bottom:none}
.step-n{width:44px;height:44px;border-radius:12px;background:var(--foam);border:1px solid var(--line);
  display:grid;place-items:center;font:800 18px/1 var(--sans);color:var(--water)}
.step-body h4{font-size:17px;margin-bottom:6px;color:var(--ink)}
.step-body p{font-family:var(--serif);font-size:15px;line-height:1.7;color:var(--ink-2);margin:0}

/* ---- knowledge hub grid ---- */
.hub-grid{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(auto-fill,minmax(300px,1fr));gap:20px;margin-top:30px}
.hub-card{border:1px solid var(--line);border-radius:14px;overflow:hidden;background:var(--glass);
  text-decoration:none;color:inherit;transition:box-shadow .2s ease,transform .2s ease}
.hub-card:hover{box-shadow:0 14px 40px rgba(42,157,184,.1);transform:translateY(-3px)}
.hub-card .hc-top{padding:24px 22px 18px;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line-soft)}
.hub-card .hc-cat{font-size:10px;font-weight:800;letter-spacing:.12em;text-transform:uppercase;
  color:var(--water);margin-bottom:8px}
.hub-card h3{font-size:19px;margin-bottom:8px;color:var(--ink)}
.hub-card p{font-size:14px;color:var(--muted);line-height:1.5}
.hub-card .hc-foot{padding:12px 22px;display:flex;align-items:center;gap:8px;
  font-size:13px;font-weight:700;color:var(--water)}