Archive for January, 2012

What can be done to reduce the impact of future hurricanes?

The effects of climate change mean that hurricanes could become stronger and more frequent in the future. What can be done to reduce the impact of future hurricanes on people, the natural environment and the built environment.

Thanks!

1.) Conserve wetlands. Tidal flats can hold a lot of vegetation which serve to minimize the impact of storm surges caused when Hurricanes leave the sea, pushing large volumes ahead of them. New orleans suffered massive flooding because a substantial amount of the sea grass surrounding the mississippi delta had been dredged to allow more ship passage. The loss of the estuary meant there was nothing to buffer the effects of the storm surge as it washed ashore. In asian countries large tracts of mangrove flats are destroyed for shrimp farming. It is productive for a year, but the tide soon washes all the nutrients back out to sea, leaving a barren sand flat. Another cause of mangrove destruction is development of hotels for the tourist trade. The mangroves block access to the sea. Like marsh grass, mangroves are the best barriers to storm surges, tidal waves and tidal erosion.

2.) Develop bio fuels and alternate sources of energy. America burns thousands of tons of fossil fuels every day to generate electricity. European nations rely much more on nuclear and solar power. The problem in America is the government is influenced by private industries. This has stalled efforts to develop cleaner, renewable sources of energy. America has enough coal to last another 200 years, but coal generates lots of CO2 which is non-renewable. It also can produce SO2 if left untreated. Both are causes of global warming and SO2 causes acid rain as well.

3.) Develop architecture suitable for hurricane zones. Buildings have begun to be specially reinforced in earthquake zones and perhaps if hurricanes increase in frequency, they will be redesigned to withstand high winds and storm surges.

Why were the Chile and China earthquakes broadcasted less than the one in Haiti?

its because the poverty level in Haiti, china is communist and doesn’t except our help, an chili has a good infrastructure, well its better than haiti

Disasters Change Lives Forever

In the year 2005, natural disasters killed over 25,000 people and caused $57.7 billion in damage worldwide. Besides the obvious, direct impact of natural disasters (such as a tornado destroying a house), there are usually many indirect effects. Although these effects may be less obvious, they are often times more costly and can add years on to the recovery time from a disaster. As people who live in communities that have been devastated by a natural hazard will often say, “there is no such thing as a complete recovery, disasters change people’s lives forever”.

Disaster Mitigation is the first link in the chain of disaster survival. Mitigation is the process of reducing the severity of the impact of natural hazards through planning. Each hazard requires a specific type of mitigation. In some cases, we can use engineering solutions. Earthquake-resistant construction and devices to hold objects in place such as earthquake straps could at least reduce the impact of a natural hazard. In other cases, the only form of mitigation that is guaranteed to be successful is to limit or not allow human activities where the hazard occurs, such as floodplains, volcanoes and high fire risk areas.

But unfortunately, in some cases such as Hurricane Katrina and the Asian Tsunami, the fact that there was little or no planning or mitigation took its toll on human life. These types of disasters have a profound impact on us all. Prediction of natural disasters has improved greatly but more work needs to be done. Protection against manmade disasters must continue in a logical, controlled and decisive manner.

The second link in the chain of disaster survival is personal preparation. Making plans for evacuation, having the correct survival supplies such as water and food that has a five-year shelf life, a flashlight that doesn’t need batteries and a radio to stay connected to the outside world, is essential to us all. It is suggested that each person have at least 72 hours of supplies. Statistically, the citizens of the United States are not prepared. Less then 40% of the population has a plan and even less have supplies. The list of items is overwhelming to some people and just knowing where to start can be a conundrum.

Disasters do come in all forms and change our lives. We have seen it first hand in recent years. Mitigation, preparation and prediction will decrease loss of life and property. Every one of us must participate in disaster preparation. Some people say “expect the unexpected” but in reality we must anticipate the expected and prepare.

Scott Kastner
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/disasters-change-lives-forever-83580.html

Vamos Todos.mpg

Vamos Todos was composed by Norberto ‘Noni’ Espinosa as a tribute to all the millions of people affected by the February 27th earthquakes in Chile. This song is performed by South Asutralian band Expresiones. Four of the members are Chileans who have family in Chile affected by this major event.
Expresiones would like to pay homage to all of those who lost their lives and the millions left homeless.
This single is available for purchase and all procedes will go towards helping re-build Chile. For more information and to support this cause join us on Facebook ‘Expresiones Musica’

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=1465133852&ref=ts

This video clip was created by Jaime Eteban Espinosa from images collected throughout the internet.

Duration : 0:4:7

Read more…

Survivorman – Surviving Urban Disasters Ep1 “Flood” Part 1/5

Les Stroud “Survivoman” shows you how to survive a flood if your in your house, office or car, explaining ways to treat food, health measures and safety.

Duration : 0:8:58

Read more…

Stress Management – How To Cope With Stress

Identifying stress and being aware of its effect on our lives is not enough for reducing its harmful effects. Just as there are many sources of stress, there are many possibilities to manage it. But it requires work toward relief: change the source of stress and change your reaction to it.

Here’s how it works.

1.Reccognise your stressors and your emotional and physical reactions.

Be aware of your distress. Don’t ignore it. Don’t gloss over your problems. Determine what distresses you. What are you telling yourself about what those stressors means? Determine how your body responds to the stress. Do you become nervous or physically upset? If so,in what specific ways?

2. What can you change?

Can you change your stressors by avoiding or eliminating them completely?
Can you reduce their intensity (manage them over a period of time instead of on a daily or weekly basis)? Can you reduce your exposure to stress (take a break, leave the physical premises)?Can you take the time and energy necessary to making a change (goal setting, time management techniques, and delayed gratification strategies may be helpful here)?

3.Your emotions will determine the way you react.

Your stress reaction is caused by your perception of danger…physical danger and/or emotional danger. Do you view your stressors in an exaggerated way and/or taking a difficult situation and making it a disaster?
Do you expect to please everyone?
Are you overreacting and seeing things as totally critical and urgent? Do you feel you must always prevail in every situation?
Try to adopt more moderate views; try to see the stress as something you can cope with rather than something that overpowers you.
Try to moderate your excess emotions. Put the situation in perspective. Do not dwell on the negative aspects and the “what if’s.”

4. How to control your physical reactions to stress.

Slow, deep breaths will bring your heart rate and respiration back to normal.
Relaxation techniques can reduce muscle tension. Medications, when prescribed by a physician, can help in the short term. However, they alone are not the answer.Learning to moderate these reactions on your own is a preferable long-term solution.

5. How to build your physical reserves.

Exercise for cardiovascular fitness three to four times a week (moderate, prolonged rhythmic exercise is best, such as walking, swimming, cycling, or jogging).
Eat well-balanced, nutritious meals.
Keep your ideal weight.
Stay away from nicotine, excessive caffeine, and other stimulants.
Mix pleasure with work. Take breaks and get away when you can.
Get enough sleep. Be as regular with your sleep schedule as possible.

6. Reinforce your emotional reserves.

Develop some supportive friendships/relationships.
Reach for realistic goals which are meaningful to you, rather than goals others have for you that you do not share.
Expect some frustrations, failures, and sorrows.
Always be kind and gentle with yourself — be a friend to yourself.

Gaetane Ross
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/stress-management-how-to-cope-with-stress-102839.html

MAGNITUDE 5.0 EARTHQUAKE STRIKES OFF THE COAST OF AISEN, CHILE

M 5.0, off the coast of Aisen, Chile: Friday, July 9, 2010 22:57:25 UTCFriday, July 9, 2010 05:57:25 PM at epicenterDepth: 35.50 km

Duration : 0:0:4

Read more…

Homeowners Insurance Guide

Homeowners insurance covers damages resulting from most kinds of natural calamities. If a third party lender finances a home, it becomes important to obtain homeowners insurance, in order to cover the building and the material possessions inside.

Homeowners insurance is a package policy: This means that homeowners insurance takes care of both, the damage caused to the home, and the legal responsibilities involved. Homeowners insurance can also be used to protect the homeowner against injuries or property damage caused to other people, by the owner or his/her family members. This includes injury caused by household pets.

Homeowners insurance covers damage caused by most disasters except floods, earthquakes, and the lack of maintenance. Individuals are required to buy separate policies to cover the losses incurred due to earthquakes and floods. Maintenance related damage is not covered by any insurance policy.

Types of Homeowners Insurance

Following are the four types of coverage included in the standard homeowners insurance policy: -

Coverage For The Structures

This policy pays for repairing or re-building the house if it gets damaged because of fire, hail, lightning, hurricane, damage caused by vehicle or aircraft, explosion, windstorm or other disasters, according to the formulation of the policy. Most of the standard policies also deal with structures that are not attached to the house, like the garage or a gazebo.

Coverage For Contents Of Home

This policy covers personal belongings such as furniture, clothes, electronic goods and other household items that get destroyed by any of the insured disasters. Most companies offer coverage of 50% to 70% of the amount insured for the building. For example, if a homeowner has $200,000 worth of insurance on building structure, then he/she would have $100,000 to $140,000 worth of coverage on the personal belongings. The best way to find out whether this coverage is adequate is to carry out a home inventory, which includes the original cost of each item.

Protection Against Liability

This covers against lawsuits for any physical injury or property damage that the homeowner, or his/her family members, or pets cause other people. This liability policy covers a homeowner anywhere in the world. For example, if a homeowner’s children, or dog, or any other pet accidentally damages the neighbor’s furniture, or expensive carpet, or any other property, the homeowner is covered by this policy. But the homeowner’s own property is not covered by this policy, if the children or pets damage it similarly. Liability coverage generally starts at $100,000.

Additional Living Expenses Under Conditions The Homeowner Is Not Able To Live In The Home:

This policy pays for the additional cost of living away from home if it gets damaged by fire, lightning, hail, smoke, theft, storm, volcanic eruption or any other insured disaster. It covers restaurant bills, hotel bills and additional living expenses incurred while the home is being repaired. Generally, companies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on the structure of the house.

For example, if a homeowner has insurance worth of $100,000 on the structure of his/her house, then the additional living expenses coverage in case of damage will be 20% of $100,000, which is $20,000. This policy also reimburses the rent amount if a part of the damaged house had been on rent.

For most people, a home involves a large investment. Insuring it against damage due to some unforeseen calamity can protect you from bearing the burden of such losses.

Joseph Kenny
http://www.articlesbase.com/real-estate-articles/homeowners-insurance-guide-81597.html

Plastic Surgery Disaster(Jocelyn Wildenstein)

Plastic Surgery Disaster(Jocelyn Wildenstein)

Duration : 0:2:44

Read more…

Not Seen On TV Pakistan Flood Disaster Relief Video World News

THE FLOOD IS AS LONG AS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BUT IF IT WAS 7 MILES WIDE ALMOST THE ENTIRE COUNTRY OF PAKISTAN FLOODED. Rare Video Not Seen On TV Pakistan Flood Disaster Relief Video World News Video Courtesy US Department of Defense service members assisting in Pakistan flood relief efforts. U.S. forces providing aid and air transportation for victims of the recent floods in Pakistan that have adversely affected millions of people. There are sound bites from CW2 Kyle Johnson and CW4 George Kelly, both of whom are with Task Force Raptor. pakflood10 Video Tags
Pakistan, floods, Kyle Johnson, pakflood10, George Kelly, Task Force Raptor. helicopter

Duration : 0:4:32

Read more…