From the National Academy of Sciences, free webinar on Feb. 25: Future of Electric Power in the United States: Public Briefing, by NASEM Energy and Environmental Systems

From the WashPost: Opinion: This Texas weather is a chilling reminder about our battered power grid

Another article on the same topic: How one Texas storm exposed an energy grid unprepared for climate change. Electric grid regulators said the U.S. will have to develop vast supplies of power storage — such as gigantic batteries — that rely on emerging technologies

From the NYTimes: Scientists Are Trying to Spot New Viruses Before They Cause Pandemics. Scientists want to build a weather system for viruses. It would require a big financial investment, plus buy-in from doctors, hospitals and blood banks.

The Diva is a subscriber of KM World, a knowledge management newsletter which I think is still free. The current issue is titled Looking into the Future: 2021 Insight and can be downloaded at no charge. This current issue contains several interesting articles, including “Knowledge Management in the Remote Work Era” and “The Enterprise of the Future.”

From HSNW, this report by NIST on Better Earthquake Recovery. ” For the last century, seismic building codes and practices have primarily focused on saving lives by reducing the likelihood of significant damage or structural collapse. Recovery of critical functions provided by buildings and infrastructure have received less attention, however. As a result, many remain vulnerable to being knocked out of service by an earthquake for months, years or for good. A new report outlines seven recommendations that, if acted upon, may greatly improve the resilience of communities across the nation.”

From HSNW: New Timeline of Deadliest California Wildfire Could Guide Lifesaving Research, Action.

The November 2018 was the costliest disaster worldwide in 2018 and, having caused 85 deaths and destroyed more than 18,000 buildings, it became both the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history, two records the fire still holds today. What made the Camp Fire so devastating? And what lessons can we learn to prevent another disaster of this scale?

From Politico: The Covid economy is forcing governors, mayors and other state leaders to find political common ground after years of partisan division.

Once again, a topic a bit afield from our usual focus, but timely. From RAND: Domestic Violent Extremists Will Be Harder to Combat Than Homegrown Jihadists

This report is a bit off from our usual focus, but a significant report worth noting. From LLNL: Getting to Neutral: Options for Negative Carbon Emissions in CA.The report is 189 pp.

Thanks to Ms Nancy Suski for the citation.

From the Univ. of CO/Converge: Extreme Weather and Geohazards