Category: Earth/Climate science

Why Drought-Prone Municipalities Should Learn Water Conservation Techniques From Desert Communities

Why Drought-Prone Municipalities Should Learn Water Conservation Techniques From Desert Communities

Why Drought-Prone Municipalities Should Learn Water Conservation Techniques From Desert Communities

03/21/23

“Why should drought-prone municipalities learn water conservation techniques from desert communities?”

With the advent of climate change, droughts are going to become more and more common for municipalities. This can be very stressful for places that are not used to such events. However, desert communities have lived in low-water conditions for many years. Such learned experience can pave the way for more communities to live in such a similar manner. This is Why Drought-Prone Municipalities Should Learn Water Conservation Techniques From Desert Communities.

Why Disasters Spur Governments to Enact Reforms

Why Disasters Spur Governments to Enact Reforms

Why Disasters Spur Governments to Enact Reforms

03/19/23

“Why do disasters spur governments to enact reforms?”

Disasters leave great destruction in their path. This is amplified by mismanagement, leading to an escalation of catastrophes. In response, governments often enact reforms to prevent such damage from reoccurring in the future. Examples include wildfire regulations in California due to the destruction of Paradise and the changed energy policy in Japan following Fukushima. This is Why Disasters Spur Governments to Enact Reforms.

Why California and Türkiye Should Partner With Each Other to Solve Earthquake Building Hazards

Why California and Türkiye Should Partner With Each Other to Solve Earthquake Building Hazards

Why California and Türkiye Should Partner With Each Other to Solve Earthquake Building Hazards

03/16/23

“Why should California and Türkiye partner with each other to solve earthquake hazards?”

California and Türkiye might be far away in distance but close in geographical features. Both countries have long mediterranean coasts, striking mountains, and a flat fertile inland. But most importantly, these nations both rest upon earthquake faultlines that make them vulnerable to violent quakes. Given this similarity, it would only be logical for California and Türkiye to work together. This can be accomplished through cross-national research teams, comparative case studies, policy-maker collaboration, and much more. This is Why California and Türkiye Should Partner With Each Other to Solve Earthquake Building Hazards.

As of writing, victims of the 2023 Türkiye – Syria earthquake are continuing to face great difficulties in their daily life. To make a difference, please make a donation to organizations such as the Syrian White Helmets and the Anatolian Arts Institute Earthquake Relief Fund. My friends are also connecting donations to small municipalities and vetted organizations through the venmo account @earthquake-relief. Anything you send will go a long way.

Seasonal Climate Guest Worker Agreements

Seasonal Climate Guest Worker Agreements

Seasonal Climate Guest Worker Agreements

03/15/23

“How may governments have guest workers come over during extreme climate seasons?”

Humanity is on course to have two fundamental shifts in its existence. The population of many countries will grow too old to support itself, and others will have extreme climatic seasons. This means that places in the former will need more workers to support themselves and people in the latter may have to have seasonal retreats. So what if countries were to enter into negotiations with each other where guest workers can be brought in from one country during intense seasons to work in places with high demand? These Seasonal Climate Guest Worker Agreements hold the potential to create mutual wealth and solve many problems we face along the way.

Idea courtesy of Katelin Wright

Why Countries Experiencing Population Growth From Climate In-Migration Will Need to Upgrade Their Rail Capacity

Why Countries Experiencing Population Growth From Climate In-Migration Will Need to Upgrade Their Rail Capacity

Why Countries Experiencing Population Growth From Climate In-Migration Will Need to Upgrade Their Rail Capacity

03/14/23

“Why do countries experiencing population growth from climate in-migration need to upgrade their rail capacity?”

Some countries are going to experience population growth from climate in-migration in the future. This will cause greater demand for physical services such as rail transport. If this demand is not met, then the systems can falter. But by investing in upgrading rail systems, these transit needs can be met for the low-carbon future. This is Why Countries Experiencing Population Growth From Climate In-Migration Will Need to Upgrade Their Rail Capacity.

Why Dangerous Chemicals Need to Be Stored in Earthquake-Proof Containers

Why Dangerous Chemicals Need to Be Stored in Earthquake-Proof Containers

Why Dangerous Chemicals Need to Be Stored in Earthquake-Proof Containers

03/12/23

“Why do dangerous chemicals need to be stored in earthquake-proof containers?”

Dangerous chemicals are an ever-present hazard to keep. If an earthquake happens and the chemicals spill, then they can cause great damage and even threaten lives. But if there are earthquake-proof containers, then this can be prevented from occurring. This is Why Dangerous Chemicals Need to Be Stored in Earthquake-Proof Containers.

The 2023 East Palestine Ohio Train Derailment Disaster

The 2023 East Palestine Ohio Train Derailment Disaster

The 2023 East Palestine Ohio Train Derailment Disaster

03/11/23

“What happened in the 2023 East Palestine Ohio train derailment disaster?”

On February 3rd, 2023, 08:55 pm Eastern Standard Time, 38 cars of a train belonging to Norfolk Southern carrying hazardous materials derailed in the town of East Palestine, Ohio, USA. Multiple of these cars burned for days, releasing dangerous chemicals into the atmosphere. All residents within a 1.6 km radius were evacuated and the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia declared emergencies. The 2023 East Palestine Ohio Train Derailment Disaster has sparked debate around the nation and will be in the public’s eye for quite some time.

The People of East Palestine Ohio need to seek shelter. One family, the Velezes, need assistance. Your money will go a long way.

Image credit static01.nyt.com

Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing

Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing

Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing

03/09/23

“Why do we need to keep space between shrubs and trees to prevent wildfires?”

Wildfires can travel from flammable material to flammable material. This isn’t limited to one direction and can scale from the ground or shrubs to trees if they’re close enough. For this reason, it is recommended that planners implement Wildfire Buffer Vertical Spacing. This commonly comes in the form of ensuring all tree branches are at least six feet from the ground and/or four times the height of the shrubs beneath them. If done properly, this vertical spacing can make a place much more resilient to fires.

Urban Waterfronts

Urban Waterfronts

Urban Waterfronts

03/07/23

“What are urban waterfronts and how do they contribute to a city’s wellbeing?”

Many cities are built next to bodies of water, whether it be oceans, seas, rivers, or lakes. This creates a boundary that urban planners have to deal with differently than other parts of the cities. This ends up in the creation of Urban Waterfronts, or the interface between the city and a body of water. Urban waterfronts have a wide range of forms, from industrial zones to walking paths to commercial activity. Famous examples of waterfronts include Lake Merritt in Oakland, the Coney Island Theme Park in New York City, and Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro.

Image credit lakemerrittinstitute.org