Author: Isaac Gendler

Storm Emergency Declarations

Storm Emergency Declarations

Storm Emergency Declarations

01/05/23

“Why can storms be so large they result in an emergency declaration?”

Storms of any kind can wreak havoc. But sometimes they become so substantial that it becomes a public emergency (often in the case of bomb cyclones). Officials may make Storm Emergency Declarations if these storms pass a certain threshold. When an emergency declaration is enacted, resources may be allocated to build quick resilience. Repair crews will be called up, status alerts may go out to residents, roads may close, and much much more. The threshold for enacting a storm emergency declaration differs by location. A place that witnesses frequent storms and has the infrastructure in place may only do so when a biblical-sized event occurs, while places not used to storms may declare an emergency with a comparatively moderate-sized one.

Bombogenesis

Bombogenesis

Bombogenesis

01/04/23

“How are bomb cyclones created?”

Bomb cyclones are ferocious storms. Their intensity can total infrastructure and shut down public services. But how exactly are they created? Well, let’s start by thinking back to our fundamental science. When a cold air mass collides with a warm air mass, they both rapidly rise and form a low-pressure system. These low-pressure systems are essentially vacuums that suck up air, leading to storms. When the central pressure of this storm system drops a certain amount depending on its latitude (24 millibars at a latitude of 60 degrees) then it will be classified as a rapidly intensifying bomb cyclone. Meteorologists have termed this phenomenon Bombogenesis, and its impacts are awestriking, to say the least.

Bomb Cyclones

Bomb Cyclones

Bomb Cyclones

01/03/23

“What happens when a storm rapidly gains strength?”

Storms are a powerful force of nature. Created by rising columns of air leading to drops of pressure, storms produce massive amounts of gusts and rain. But things become very interesting when there is a rapid negative change in air pressure, producing what meteorologists call Bomb Cyclones. These rapid strengthening blasts have the force to blow away houses, flood roads, and rupture the physical foundations of communities.

Why Torrents of Winter Rain in California Can Make the State More Fire-Prone in The Dry Season

Why Torrents of Winter Rain in California Can Make the State More Fire-Prone in The Dry Season

Why Torrents of Winter Rain in California Can Make the State More Fire-Prone in The Dry Season

01/02/23

“Why do torrents of winter rain in California make the state more fire-prone in the dry season?”

As of writing, California is undergoing rain patterns of almost biblical proportions. The City of Oakland has received more rain in a single day than its entire history since records began. Road closures, power outages, and property damage can be seen throughout the Golden State. There are some upsides, such as the easing of the drought. While intuition may say that another benefit will be a safer fire season, the reality is much more complicated. Plant overgrowth is bound to happen after these rains, and if the moisture is not kept up for the rest of the wet season then much of this new flora going to die off. This in turn will lead to more combustible fuel during fire season, making the state a living match. This is Why Torrents of Winter Rain in California Can Make the State More Fire-Prone in The Dry Season.

Why Transparent Device Covers Should Be Used for Engineering Education

Why Transparent Device Covers Should Be Used for Engineering Education

Why Transparent Device Covers Should Be Used for Engineering Education

01/01/23

“Why should transparent device covers be used for engineering education?”

Engineers learn many skills by analyzing how devices work. However, much of the time they are protected by a physical cover, blurring everything out of site. But if these were replaced with transparent covers, then every detail will be up for view. This will show the true beauty of human ingenuity. Clocks will have their intricate gears visible, blow driers their electromechanical workings, and countless more items. Engineers can greatly improve their understanding of the field if they have access to this. This is Why Transparent Device Covers Should Be Used for Engineering Education.

U.S. Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

U.S. Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

U.S. Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

12/31/22

“What was the executive order that rolled back much of the Trump environmental policies and provided a course correction roadmap?”

A week into taking office, U.S. President Joe Biden signed U.S. Executive Order 14008: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. This lengthy executive order not only rolled back much of the previous administration’s environmental policies but also set a course correction roadmap. Specifically, it tried to organize the U.S. federal agencies to reduce carbon broad-scale carbon emissions in the economy, promote climate adaptation, protect public health, lands, waters, and biodiversity, and spike union jobs and economic growth by driving the clean energy sector.

Combat Medics

Combat Medics

Combat Medics

12/30/22

“Who are the people responsible for treating wounded soldiers on the field?”

Soldiers can become injured during combat. When this happens, they might need immediate medical attention. So who might step in to help? Well, what if we were to have dedicated personnel trained in emergency medical treatment who can care for and evacuate the patient? These people come in the role of Combat Medics and are essential for saving soldiers’ lives.

Why It Will Become a Political Liability to Cut Climate Spending

Why It Will Become a Political Liability to Cut Climate Spending

Why It Will Become a Political Liability to Cut Climate Spending

12/29/22

“Why will it become a political liability to cut climate spending?”

In the past few decades, climate spending seemed to many to be a luxury. However, with the advent of devastating storms, fires, and floods, the reality of climate change is here. These further damages are going to rupture communities and destroy billions of dollars of infrastructure. This will cement demand for climate funding, and proposing cuts may turn into a political liability. This is Why It Will Become a Political Liability to Cut Climate Spending.

Why Climate Adaptation Planners Have to Select an RCP Forecast

Why Climate Adaptation Planners Have to Select an RCP Forecast

Why Climate Adaptation Planners Have to Select an RCP Forecast

12/28/22

“Why do climate adaptation planners have to select an RCP Pathway?”

Climate adaptation planners have to predict how climate change will evolve over the years. However, analyzing the future is excruciatingly difficult. There are untold ways for society to change and temperatures to rise. Planners can simplify matters by selecting an RCP forecast. These IPCC-developed pathways are vetted by some of the world’s preeminent scientists and are already standard practice in climate work. This is Why Climate Adaptation Planners Have to Select an RCP Forecast.