APA Senior Research Associate James Schwab discusses lessons to be learned and explores what we already know about tsunamis from prior research.
"It may be months, even years, before all the planning lessons available from the recent tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean can be fully discerned and digested. That is not a reason to wait to take action, however. There are several obvious lessons lying on the surface, and there is much we already know about tsunamis from prior research. Those lessons should be incorporated from the outset into the international and local responses to the disaster. These five seem particularly clear:"
Among the five: "Building codes that take tsunami hazards into account already exist and are in use in the city and county of Honolulu, Hawaii. The Federal Emergency Management Agencys Coastal Engineering Manual also contains provisions for addressing tsunami hazards. Such regulations may well be more difficult to establish and enforce in poorer nations, but even incremental improvements may save thousands of lives and reduce property losses in a disaster such as the one just experienced."
Thanks to Chris Steins
FULL STORY: Planning Lessons from the Indian Ocean Tsunami Disaster

Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.

California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.

HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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