The hottest Disasters Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Climate & Environment Topics

Things Worth Remembering: When the Earth Shakes

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1674 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
💾 History Philosophy Disasters Human behavior Cultural impact Historical Events
  1. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake led to a lot of chaos, but it also showed how people can come together and create order from disorder.
  2. Philosopher William James found inspiration in the earthquake's aftermath, believing in hope even during tough times.
  3. This history reminds us that even in crisis, there can be opportunities to rebuild and unite as a community.

Learn smart lessons from the L.A. fires, not stupid lessons

Noahpinion • 30118 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Wildfires Climate change Disasters Insurance Preparedness
  1. Wildfires are getting more common, and insurance companies can't keep up. When too many people claim losses at once, some might not get paid.
  2. Climate change is making wildfires worse, but we can't change it overnight. It's a big issue that affects fire patterns.
  3. We really need to prepare for wildfires better than before because they are becoming more frequent and damaging. Improving forest management and regulations is crucial.

American Eagle 5342 and the Worst Club There Is

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 788 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
📰 News Disasters Aviation Journalism Reporting Current Events
  1. The crash of American Eagle flight 5342 was sudden, giving passengers only a couple of seconds to react before impact. This highlights how quickly disasters can occur in aviation.
  2. The author reflects on a past aviation incident involving their father, suggesting that experiencing a longer fall can be more agonizing for those on board.
  3. Overall, the piece touches on the complexities and emotional toll associated with air disasters and the personal connections many have to such tragedies.

Transcript - America This Week, Jan 10, 2025: "California Fires and America's Competency Crisis"

TK News by Matt Taibbi • 1662 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Disasters Public Policy Climate change Social Issues
  1. Los Angeles is currently facing severe wildfires, and the situation is critical with no containment in sight. This highlights the growing threat of natural disasters in the area.
  2. The fires raise questions about the preparedness and response of local leaders and public services. Many believe that better planning and resources could have helped manage this disaster.
  3. While some attribute these fires to climate change, it's essential to recognize the area's historical vulnerability to wildfires. There are lessons to be learned about living in disaster-prone regions and the responsibilities of local government.

How many people died in disasters in 2024?

Sustainability by numbers • 211 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Disasters Sustainability Data Analysis Public Health Environmental Impact
  1. In 2024, fewer people died from disasters compared to previous years, thanks to fewer major earthquakes. The estimate was around 9,500 deaths, which is low compared to the high averages from past years.
  2. Floods, wildfires, and storms were the main causes of deaths in 2024. Many fatalities came from extreme weather events, particularly flooding in Africa and wildfires in South America.
  3. It's important to note that data on disaster deaths is often incomplete, especially for temperature-related deaths. Researchers have to estimate these numbers, leading to less reliable statistics overall.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Welcome to Boomland

Sarah Kendzior’s Newsletter • 5831 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Government Violence Election Policy Disasters
  1. Boomland, a fireworks emporium in Missouri, serves as a symbol of American complexities and fears.
  2. The region, historically marked by the New Madrid earthquake zone, faces a looming threat of catastrophic seismic activity.
  3. The author reflects on the state of America, the government's handling of crises, and the need for individuals to define moral principles amidst chaos.

How Bad Will Things Get Now?

OK Doomer • 171 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Disasters Environmental Policy Wildlife Public awareness
  1. Climate disasters like wildfires, storms, and heatwaves are expected to get much worse in the future. We need to prepare for more extreme events.
  2. There's concern about how leadership is addressing climate change, with some leaders denying its seriousness. This adds to fears about future environmental policies.
  3. The next decade is crucial, and people need to understand the potential threats to humanity so they can advocate for better solutions.

More Than Meets the Eye

Doomberg • 8671 implied HN points • 31 May 23
📰 News Energy Infrastructure Policy Supply Chain Disasters
  1. The Great Ice Storm of 1998 had devastating impacts on areas in lower Quebec, parts of New England, and the Northeast megalopolis.
  2. The US power industry is facing a growing supply chain crisis, particularly with a chronic shortage of transformers, risking grid reliability.
  3. Industry leaders are urging for a $1 billion appropriation to address the transformer shortage and accelerate production via the Defense Production Act.

Recovering from the flood

Disaffected Newsletter • 1658 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Disasters Floods Recovery Weather Community support
  1. Vermont experienced severe flooding that caused extensive damage, with many homes destroyed and roads impassable. People have lost everything, and the landscape has changed significantly.
  2. The author has lost their job and is struggling financially, needing to move into a new apartment after their current home was flooded. They are looking for support to recover from the disaster.
  3. Any extra funds raised will go towards helping others affected by the flood, including providing assistance to a displaced tenant. The author emphasizes the need for community support and collective recovery.

The Morning After

Disaffected Newsletter • 1378 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
📰 News Disasters Local news Weather Community Human Interest
  1. The flooding in Vermont has caused a lot of damage, making it really hard for many people. Some have lost their homes and everything they own.
  2. Rescue operations were intense, with people being saved by helicopters. This shows how serious and scary the situation is.
  3. Even though things are tough now, there is hope for recovery and better days ahead. People are coming together to help each other.

The Rico Racket

Disaffected Newsletter • 699 implied HN points • 27 Aug 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Crime Disasters Public Policy Society
  1. There are a lot of people missing after a massive wildfire in Lahaina, Hawaii, and local authorities seem to have made the situation worse by blocking escape routes.
  2. Donald Trump and Rudy Giuliani are facing serious legal trouble for their actions related to the 2020 election, marking a significant moment in American history.
  3. Some young people are choosing to dress and act like mythological creatures, and society is being asked to accept this as normal behavior.

I can’t help but notice the difference in what people are doing …..

A B’Old Woman • 219 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Activism Disasters Public response Trans rights Social Issues
  1. Cyclone Gabrielle has caused severe damage in New Zealand, leaving many people homeless and without basic necessities like water and power.
  2. While the community suffers from this disaster, some activists are choosing to focus on events far away, which seems out of touch with the local needs.
  3. There is a call for people to prioritize local help and support for those affected by the cyclone rather than holding protests and vigils for distant events.

Collapsed Croplands, drought, disasters: possible implications after hottest Day ever Recorded

Adetokunbo Sees • 208 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Renewable Energy Drought Disasters Food security Global Warming
  1. Heat waves and droughts lead to crop failures and loss of yields, impacting global food security.
  2. Rising temperatures affect crop yields, with each degree increase in global temperature leading to significant decreases in wheat, rice, and maize production.
  3. Reducing fossil fuel emissions is crucial to mitigating the negative impacts of climate change on agriculture and food security.

VOL 66: Titanic Sub Crash: Humans Enduring Pursuit of Exploration

MAP's Tech Newsletter. • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
💾 History Exploration Maritime Disasters Tragedy
  1. The pursuit of exploration is deeply ingrained in human nature, as shown throughout history by daring explorers like Ferdinand Magellan and David Livingstone.
  2. Accidents are a reality in risky pursuits like deep-sea exploration, but these incidents do not deter human interest in exploring the unknown.
  3. Despite the risks, the drive for exploration and discovery persists as a fundamental aspect of humanity, exemplified by individuals like Hillary and Norgay conquering Mount Everest.

Lessons from Drunk Shenanigans in History 🥴

Rabbit Holes 🐇🕳 • 1 HN point • 08 May 24
💾 History Events Battles Disasters
  1. Drunkenness has led to significant historical events, such as the signing of the Magna Carta and the Treaty of Tordesillas.
  2. Alcohol has played a role in military defeats like the Crimean War and the Battle of Karánsebes, showing the impact of intoxication on strategic decisions.
  3. Uncontrolled drinking has resulted in disasters like the Great Fire of London, the London Beer Flood, and the Great Whiskey Fire of Dublin, highlighting the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption.

More interesting things in robotics this week

Robots & Startups • 0 implied HN points • 13 Jul 21
🕹 Technology Robotics Disasters
  1. Aerial drones and ground robots are used in search and rescue missions to reach areas that are inaccessible to humans, like collapsed buildings.
  2. Robotics technology plays a crucial role in disaster response situations, aiding search and rescue teams in locating survivors and assessing the situation.
  3. Accessing the full post may require a subscription to get a deeper understanding of the advancements in robotics and their applications in real-world scenarios.