"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Engineering
Power Line Repair Worker Safety
07/06/20
“Why should we take regard for the safety of power line repair workers?”
Power Line Repair Workers are essential for keeping the grid running. However, their jobs are extremely dangerous and can lead to injury and even death from electrocution and falling. For this reason, Power Line Repair Worker Safety needs to be prioritized through training, proper equipment, and medical care.
Wildfire Damage and Class Inequality
07/05/20
“Why is it that wildfire damage affects lower-income communities much more?”
Building damage from wildfires is a common occurrence when they close in on a populated area. However, people from lower-income backgrounds are more likely to not possess wildfire insurance and have subpar housing units, making them much more liable when a wildfire strikes. This is why there is a connection between Wildfire Damage and Class Inequality.
Power Line Repair Workers
07/04/20
“Who are the people who repair power lines?”
Power lines break down from time to time. When this happens, Power Line Repair Workers are called in to come fix things. Power Line Repair Workers are trained in electric power systems and telecommunications cables and are able to work with just trade school training.
Why Seniors Need to Be Accounted for in Wildfire Evacuation Planning
07/03/20
“Why do wildfire emergency planners need to consider seniors in their design?”
When wildfires break out, senior citizens have a much more difficult time evacuating the area. They may have mobility impairments and other disabilities that make things so difficult. If evacuation plans don’t have any special consideration for senior citizens, then they may perish at a much higher rate. This is Why Seniors Need to Be Accounted for in Wildfire Evacuation Planning.
Why Misreporting Grid Repairs Can Cause Wildfires
07/02/20
“How can misreporting grid repairs cause wildfires?”
Reporting grid repairs is one of the paramount duties of any electric utility. However, if none happen and the utility lies about it saying they did, then the grid can go into a state of disrepair. If this happens continually for long enough, then major breakdowns can occur, and if these happen at critical times (as in the case of the Paradise Fire) then a wildfire can occur. This is Why Misreporting Grid Repairs Can Cause Wildfires.
Why a Diverse Stakeholder Group Is Necessary for Proper Climate Adaptation Work
06/30/20
“Why is a diverse stakeholder group necessary for proper climate adaptation work?”
Climate Adaptation projects revolve around working with stakeholders. But if the stakeholder group is comprised only of individuals from systematically privileged backgrounds, then numerous misadaptations may occur. If representatives from all communities affected can attend, then this problem can be filtered out. This is Why a Diverse Stakeholder Group Is Necessary for Proper Climate Adaptation Work.
How Constructed Wetlands Can Build Climate Resilience
06/29/20
“How can constructed wetlands be used to build climate resilience?”
Wetlands are natural sponges. A flood of water that comes into them will be absorbed quite quickly. Because of this, it would only be logical to place them near cities that may be vulnerable to increased flooding in the future. This is How Constructed Wetlands Can Build Climate Resilience.
Electric Vehicle Investment and Race
06/26/20
“What is the overlap between electric vehicle investment and racial inequality?”
For the past two decades, major governments all over the world have been heavily investing in electric vehicles to enable mass adoption. However, their current high price means that only wealthier individuals will be able to afford them and that people from systematically oppressed racial backgrounds will benefit from these far less. Although it is true that enabling further penetration of EVs into the vehicle fleet will bring their prices down for everyone, there needs to be understanding that there is a connection between Electric Vehicle Investment and Race.
And don’t forget, #BlackLivesMatter
Highway Construction and Racism
06/25/20
“What is the connection between highway construction and racism?”
Highways are on the staple features of modern American life. They allow for large numbers of vehicles to be uplifted and transported through the air. But how exactly where these pieces of infrastructure created? Well, since these highways need a foundation, area needs to be cleared. And since these highways were made in urban areas, communities with the least amount of systematic power were selected to be cleared. This displaced a multitude of communities of color in the U.S and forced many more to live in polluted environmental conditions that still stand today. This is the connection between Highway Construction and Racism.
And don’t forget, #BlackLivesMatter
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