"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Tag: Policy
How Water Monitoring Can Assist With Flood Resilience Preparation
04/17/20
“How can water monitoring assist with flood resilience preparation?”
With the advent of the new climate paradigm, floods are going to become more common and lethal. In order to prevent disruption, water levels in rivers, oceans, and ponds can be monitored. This way, if things start to become too unstable, preventative action can be taken. This is How Water Monitoring Can Assist With Flood Resilience Preparation.
Why Rising Global Temperatures May Impact School Performance (And Why This Is an Equity Issue)
04/16/20
“Why may rising global temperatures impact school performance and why is this an equity issue?”
Working in hot conditions is always difficult. It makes it hard to concentrate, you need to take more water breaks, and the experience is just generally unpleasant. Studying and learning in a classroom is no different. Schools with less adequate resources are overwhelmingly more likely to have less-maintained and up-to-date facilities that lack air-conditioning systems. With the advent of climate change, temperatures are going to become much higher, and communities who do not have the resources to cope with this are going to be impacted more. This is Why Rising Global Temperatures May Impact School Performance (And Why This Is an Equity Issue).
Image credit http://www.ajc.com
Why Allowing Hospital Staff to Rest Will Increase Medical Effectiveness
04/15/20
“Why do breaks make hospital workers more effective?”
Hospital workers are the backbone of our medical establishments. Even though they save lives every day, they have lives of their own that need to be maintained. If they go without rest, they will become more tired and error-prone. By allowing for relaxation, hospital workers can recharge and get back to work. This is Why Allowing Hospital Staff to Rest Will Increase Medical Effectiveness.
Why Telecommuting Can Halt the Transmission of Diseases
04/10/20
“How can telecommuting halt disease transmission?”
Diseases can be extremely infectious, hopping from one person to another indiscriminately. However, if people can isolate themselves from one another, then the disease will have no transfer medium. Telecommuting can help facilitate this by allowing workers to stay home from their office, sparing others of potential sickness. This is Why Telecommuting Can Halt the Transmission of Diseases.
Why Energy Resilience is Vital for Hospitals
04/03/20
“Why do all hospitals need to think about energy resilience?”
Hospitals are the lifeline for a community. Whenever someone becomes seriously ill or is giving birth, they get rushed to one of these facilities. However, if the power goes out and no generators are available, everything will turn to ruin. From ventilators to ICU beds to HVAC systems, every vital piece of hospital infrastructure runs on electricity. To prevent a catastrophe from happening, hospitals will need to make emergency operations plans. This is Why Energy Resilience is Vital for Hospitals.
How California’s AB 2895 Would Increase Climate Resilience for Some of Its Most Vulnerable Residents
03/31/20
“How would AB 2895 by California Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva build climate resilience for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents?”
The housing crisis is forcing a wave of Californians out of their homes and into mobile trailers. Things are now getting so bad that mobile park owners are increasing rent and threatening to force people out, leaving them more exposed when disaster strikes. However, AB 2895 by California Assemblymember Sharon Quirk-Silva may have a fix to this. If implemented, AB 2895 would stabilize rent increases on mobile home parks that are at least 15 years old, enabling greater inertia and stability. This would help keep people in homes and less exposed to the elements. This is How California’s AB 2895 Would Increase Climate Resilience for Some of Its Most Vulnerable Residents.
Image credit http://www.wamc.org
How California’s AB 2345 Can Help Build Housing Resilience
03/22/20
“How will AB 2345 by California Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher help build housing resilience in the state?”
By all means, California has an affordable housing crisis, primarily driven by a lack of supply. However, AB 2345 by Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher of San Diego promises to help change that. If enacted, AB 2345 would increase “density bonuses” for developers that set up to 15% of units in their projects that are within a half-mile of transit stops for lower-income and very low-income individuals. This would help these communities get out of urban sprawl and into newer, more resilient housing units. This is How California’s AB 2345 Can Help Build Housing Resilience.
How California’s AB 1851 Is Beneficial for Climate Policy
03/21/20
“How can AB 1851 by Assemblymember Wicks lead to more sustainable and resilient living in California?”
At present faith communities in the state of California are unable to build housing on parking lots that they own. However, this could all change with the introduction of a single bill. AB 1851 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks of the East Bay would allow for faith-based institutions to replace any parking lots that they own with housing. Since a disproportionate amount of potential housing would be close to centers of faith, not only would it decrease car travel and therefore emissions but also increase societal resilience by allowing for greater cohesion and community. This is How California’s AB 1851 Is Beneficial for Climate Policy.
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Industry
03/19/20
“What is the impact of COVID-19 on the construction industry?”
As of writing, the coronavirus outbreak is freezing the economic engine of global capitalism. The construction industry is no exception to this. With the spread of the disease, people are being forced to stay at home or are becoming sick, resulting in a labor shortage. Global logistics are also going through a downturn, making it more difficult to obtain the necessary materials. All of these combine to cause a slump in construction, straining the already present housing crisis and potential recession. This is The Impact of COVID-19 on the Construction Industry.
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