A solar flare hits the Earth, causing massive blackouts. There’s no smartphone, computer, television, or radio to be had. We’re knocked back to the American Civil War era. Sounds like a great TV pilot, right? In real life, it almost happened.
Back on July 23 2012, a solar storm barely missed the Earth’s orbit. If that same storm crossed our path nine days earlier, it would’ve sent all technology worldwide into chaos. According to the National Academy of Sciences, a solar flare like the one back in July 2012 hitting Earth could cost over two trillion dollars in damage, put 130 million people in the dark, and take years to rebuild from. In 1859, a solar flare called the Carrington event did hit the earth. On average, a flare hits us every 150 years. A little overdue, don’t you think?
This is why the solar flare issue needs to be addressed. In the 1850s, the worst that happened what the telegraph system going a muck. Today, our computer systems, technology, Internet, electricity, sewage systems, communication services, fuel supply, even access to food and clean water could all take a hit if one hit us today. I’m not preaching fear by any means, but I do think we need to be aware. And talking about it is the first step to preparation. The second step is building a warning system, kind of like what we have for severe weather today. Why are we hearing about this potentially dangerous flare two years later? A logical step would be create technological products and systems that can better stand up to such a threat. What else can be done to keep us protected from an event of this magnitude?