Month: February 2023

Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage

Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage

Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage

02/10/23

“Why did Türkiye’s construction spree lead to such devastating earthquake damage?”

The massive February 6th earthquake in Türkiye has speared widespread devastation across the country. Thousands of buildings and lives have been lost in an almost infinitesimal amount of time. Builders that were thought to be up to code had their reputations shattered along with their edifices. But what exactly laid the foundation for this catastrophe to happen?

To answer, we have to turn the clocks back to 2003. A new political party under the helm of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was brought to power. Vowing to bring a new era to the Republic, Erdoğan decided to physically transform the country and economy with a construction spree. To hasten pace and strengthen his rule, Erdoğan granted infrastructure projects to allies and allowed them to cut safety corners. This led to scores of buildings being built without proper earthquake resilience. The mirage came tumbling down with the quake’s shaking. This is Why Türkiye’s Construction Spree Led to Such Devastating Earthquake Damage.

With the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, please make a donation to ahbap, the Syrian White Helmets and the Anatolian Arts Institute Earthquake Relief Fund. 

Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake

Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake

Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake

02/09/23

“Why did lack of enforcement in Türkiye lead to total devastation during the 2023 earthquake?”

The 2023 earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria has been nothing short of devastating. A region home to over 13 million people has seen countless buildings collapse, historical monuments desecrated, and scores of lives lost. But if you’ve read up on disaster scholarship, then you’ll know that there is no such thing as a natural disaster. So how did things get this way?

In 1999, Türkiye suffered a devastating earthquake centered near the city of İzmit that took the lives of over 20,000 people. This crisis spurred the nation to adopt earthquake building codes on par with California and Japan. However, the government allowed for paid amnesties for construction companies to bypass these earthquake regulations. In 2018, The Turkish Environment and Urbanisation Ministry stated that 50% of buildings in Turkey were constructed in violation of regulations. When the quake struck, even new buildings collapsed along with older ones built on previous regulations. Residents all across Türkiye now see Why Lack of Enforcement in Türkiye Led to Total Devastation During the 2023 Earthquake. Political change is likely to come to this nation that straddles two continents.

With the recent earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, please make a donation to ahbap, the Syrian White Helmets and the Turkish AKUT Search and Rescue Association. 

The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake

02/08/23

“What happened in the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquake?”

On February 6th at 04:17 am Istanbul time, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Southern Türkiye and Northwestern Syria. The event was so strong that it caused structural damage as far away as Cyprus and Israel. Multiple aftershocks followed that only wreaked more devastation. This was the most deadly earthquake recorded since the 2011 Japan Earthquake that ruptured the Fukushima reactor.  

As of writing, the death toll has surpassed 11,000 and is rapidly rising. Many of these fatalities are due to the pulverization of infrastructure caused by the Syrian Civil War and corruption in the Erdoğan regime. Many civilians are still trapped under the rubble in brutal cold and need help with rescue. To help the victims of the The 2023 Türkiye–Syria Earthquake, please send donations to the Syrian White Helmets and the Turkish AKUT Search and Rescue Association.

Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire

Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire

Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire

02/07/23

“Why should metro system organizations have strict control of the consultants they hire?”

Metro system organizations often hire consultants to work on specific projects. However, if there is insufficient oversight then the consultants can overcharge for their input. To illustrate, The New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) spent almost double on their consultants than for the actual digging of the tunnel from 63rd to 96th streets. The MTA’s relaxed monitoring allowed the contractors to prioritize their own financial bottom line instead of benefits for the public. Such a monetary monstrosity could have been avoided if the consultants were on a tighter leash. This only goes to show Why Metro System Organizations Should Have Strict Oversight of the Consultants They Hire.

Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems

Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems

Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems

02/06/23

“Why should rainwater system operators consider installing purification systems?”

Rainwater systems can collect water from natural events to be stored for later use. However, these systems may be vulnerable to contamination, whether it be from waste, air pollution, or living organisms. If left untreated, this water can seriously harm anyone who drinks it. If the system operator intends for this water to be potable, then a purification system will go a long way in making it safe. This is Why Rainwater System Operators Should Consider Installing Purification Systems.

Why Power Shut-Offs From Heat Waves Can Lead to Public Health Crises

Why Power Shut-Offs From Heat Waves Can Lead to Public Health Crises

Why Power Shut-Offs From Heat Waves Can Lead to Public Health Crises

02/05/23

“Why can power shut-offs from heat waves lead to public health crises?”

Heat waves are major public health problems. The intense temperatures can lead to mass dehydration, strokes, and even death. Electricity usage spikes during heat waves. If there is not enough supply to meet demand, then power shut-offs can ensue. Such events further exacerbate the public health crisis, whether it be air conditioners not working to hospitals and water filtration systems shutting down. Loss of functioning infrastructure reduces regional capacity to deal with heat waves, starting an intense domino effect of catastrophes. This is Why Power Shut-Offs From Heat Waves Can Lead to Public Health Crises.

Why Virtual Reality First Responder Training Can Reduce Injuries

Why Virtual Reality First Responder Training Can Reduce Injuries

Why Virtual Reality First Responder Training Can Reduce Injuries

02/04/23

“Why can virtual reality first responder training reduce injuries?”

First responders are the backbone of disaster assistance. However, training for the dangerous scenarios they must face provides a unique challenge. Either they must prepare by performing dangerous maneuvers and risk getting injured or do toned-down training but make themselves more liable for mishaps in the field. 

So how can we get around this? Well, one solution may come through virtual reality training. With virtual reality, complex situations can be simulated without exposing trainees to injury. This will make them prepared to take on any challenge without getting hurt. This is Why Virtual Reality First Responder Training Can Reduce Injuries.

Town Flood Evacuations

Town Flood Evacuations

Town Flood Evacuations

02/03/23

“What happens when an entire town has to evacuate from a flood?”

Floods are devastating natural disasters. If the force is too powerful and mitigation efforts are not sufficient, then entire towns can become flooded. To prevent colossal loss of life, the entire town may have to be evacuated before a floods hits. Emergency response professionals and urban planners are typically involved in putting together plans for these events. Town Flood Evacuations may be short-term if the flood is only moderate or long-term (possibly permanent) if the entire town becomes destroyed.

Why COVID Protective Equipment Delivery Needs to Be Prioritized for Frontline Communities

Why COVID Protective Equipment Delivery Needs to Be Prioritized for Frontline Communities

Why COVID Protective Equipment Delivery Needs to Be Prioritized for Frontline Communities

02/02/23

“Why does COVID protective equipment delivery need to be prioritized for frontline communities?”

COVID protective equipment is vital for fighting against the global pandemic. However, some communities have less access to these resources than others. Making matters worse, these places have had to endure toxic extractive histories that make them more vulnerable to deadly COVID spikes. When governments are sending out fresh COVID protective equipment, these communities should have priority. The investment will build the medical capacity they need. This is Why COVID Protective Equipment Delivery Needs to Be Prioritized for Frontline Communities.