"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Policy
Why Hydropower Infrastructure Needs Maintenance
10/14/19
“Why does hydropower infrastructure need maintenance?”
Hydropower is one of the cornerstones in the energy world. However, like everything in the physical world, it is subject to wear and tear, especially in the face of unpredictable droughts and floods. As a result, engineers will have to keep on top of hydropower infrastructure to make sure that everything operates smoothly. This is Why Hydropower Infrastructure Needs Maintenance.
How to Create a Better Alert Systems for Wildfires
10/11/19
“How can we create a better alert system for wildfires?”
Wildfires are becoming an ever-increasing problem with the advent of climate change, whether one lives by the California Pacific coast or the Mediterranean Basin. One of the most common pitfalls of these systems is that many of these geopolitical entities lack a national communications protocol. This can be remedied by creating more uniform structures, thereby Creating a Better Alert Systems for Wildfires.
Why Spring Is Coming Earlier with Climate Change
10/10/19
“Why is Spring coming earlier with climate change?”
In the past, the four seasons in many places were fairly consistent and equal. However, in recent years Spring has been found to be coming earlier and Winter ending faster. This is because rising average temperatures have turned the warmer tail-end of Winters into extended Springs. This is Why Spring Is Coming Earlier with Climate Change.
How Electricity Blackouts Can Be Detrimental to Health
10/09/19
“How can electricity blackouts harm human health?”
Electricity blackouts are infamous for their threats to economies. But their harm extends far beyond the monetary. Since appliances such as HVAC systems and plug-in medical devices cannot function properly, individuals will be exposed to much more harmful conditions without any aid. For example, the loss of refrigeration will cause food to spoil, a lack of AC can cause people to be exposed to extreme temperatures, and a lack of medical support can be fatal to the unprepared. All of these show how How Electricity Blackouts Can Be Detrimental to Health.
Image credit http://stmedia.stimg.co
How Energy Efficiency Appliances Can Be Less Accessible to Lower Income Communities
10/08/19
“Why is it that the most advanced energy-efficient appliances are not always available in lower-income communities?”
Who doesn’t love the latest energy efficient appliances. Not only do they help save the planet, but they also look quite attractive. However, because of their higher upfront cost and complicated supply-chain logistics favoring wealthier areas, these new devices are often not available in lower-income areas at the same frequency. This discrepancy causes such communities to be stuck with higher energy bills and have greater difficulty recovering from a blackout. All of this as a result of How Energy Efficiency Appliances Can Be Less Accessible to Lower Income Communities.
Progressive vs Regressive Carbon Tax
10/06/19
“How can we make a carbon tax more equitable?”
Carbon taxes are a hot topic in the energy community. Although it is touted as one of the most efficient and bipartisan ways to combat climate change, an improper implementation can result in massive inequalities. If it ends up taxing lower income individual individuals more such as a gas tax, then it would be considered a regressive tax. If it taxes wealthy individuals more, such as a tax on boat oil. Then it would be considered a progressive tax. When implementing such solutions, governments must consider if it is a Progressive vs Regressive Carbon Tax.
The Economic Impact of an Energy Crisis
10/05/19
“What is the economic impact of an energy crisis?”
Energy is the lifeblood of an economy, whether it be the petroleum that moves vehicles or the energy that powers our homes. So when there is an energy crisis, commercial activity falters, resulting in an economic crisis. This is The Economic Impact of an Energy Crisis.
Energy Crisis
10/04/19
“What happens when there is a severe energy supply bottleneck?”
Energy Supply is supposed to be constant. However, in extreme geopolitical scenarios, energy supplies might suddenly reduce to bottlenecked levels, creating what is known as an Energy Crisis.
Continuity of Operations Plan
10/03/19
“How can a facility cope in the face of a disaster?”
Calamities strike all the time, whether it be in the form of a natural disaster or a power outage. To build resilience, institutions should develop a Continuity of Operations Plan, which details how to operate a facility during such events.
Isaac's Science Blog 