Sorry for the radio silence lately. Work, lovely weather, friends in town and general stress-related activities have made my internet time less productive.
Two different items about relocating to prevent future disasters, one on the East Coast post-Irene:
After the Flood: Hard choices for communities and citizens
and one about an island village in Alaska:
As waves lap at their doorsteps, Alaskan islanders take on climate polluters
Also, I have an interview at FEMA on Thursday before I fly out to Charlotte for my friend's wedding. Wish me luck!
Showing posts with label hazards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hazards. Show all posts
Friday, September 09, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Instead of putting the brakes on nuclear plants, should we be building safer ones?
Instead of putting the brakes on nuclear plants, should we be building safer ones? | Grist
An interesting counterpoint to the knee-jerk anti-nuclear argument. I admit that radiation and nuclear plants freak me out in a way that's somewhat of an irrational fear, but I just really hate the idea of an area that's contaminated for SO long.
Mainly I like that a good design goes a long way towards solving major problems, like almost everything else in the world.
Also, as the XKCD radiation dose chart shows, you get more radioactive exposure next to a coal plant than a nuclear plant (in a non-emergency situation obviously). Coal plants have higher on-average health risks than nuclear plants, it's just worse during the rare times when everything goes horribly wrong.
Kind of like how I'd rather live in an area at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes but they don't happen very often, rather than in a place like Kansas where I'm at a more common risk of tornadoes and living in Kansas.
An interesting counterpoint to the knee-jerk anti-nuclear argument. I admit that radiation and nuclear plants freak me out in a way that's somewhat of an irrational fear, but I just really hate the idea of an area that's contaminated for SO long.
Mainly I like that a good design goes a long way towards solving major problems, like almost everything else in the world.
Also, as the XKCD radiation dose chart shows, you get more radioactive exposure next to a coal plant than a nuclear plant (in a non-emergency situation obviously). Coal plants have higher on-average health risks than nuclear plants, it's just worse during the rare times when everything goes horribly wrong.
Kind of like how I'd rather live in an area at risk of earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes but they don't happen very often, rather than in a place like Kansas where I'm at a more common risk of tornadoes and living in Kansas.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
How to drive away from a tsunami
How to drive away from a tsunami
Unless you're being warned several hours in advance, it's true that driving away usually won't get you anywhere. The wave hits land at 500 or so mph (obviously it slows down after that but still).
If you only have a few minutes, or even half an hour, get vertical. Take the car (or bike!) to the edge of a cliff or hill or tall, concrete building and climb.
Unless you're being warned several hours in advance, it's true that driving away usually won't get you anywhere. The wave hits land at 500 or so mph (obviously it slows down after that but still).
If you only have a few minutes, or even half an hour, get vertical. Take the car (or bike!) to the edge of a cliff or hill or tall, concrete building and climb.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Japan Before and After Tsunami
Satellite Photos - Japan Before and After Tsunami - Interactive Feature - NYTimes.com
Heartbreaking. Makes me feel sick.
Heartbreaking. Makes me feel sick.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Japan’s Strict Codes and Drills Are Seen as Lifesavers - NYTimes.com
Japan’s Strict Codes and Drills Are Seen as Lifesavers - NYTimes.com
Good article on what preparedness can do. Without these precautions it's almost certain that the death toll would be much greater.
Good article on what preparedness can do. Without these precautions it's almost certain that the death toll would be much greater.
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