Posted on 07/17/2018 5:50:36 PM PDT by EdnaMode
Want to get a whole bunch of people to really, really care about climate change and rising sea levels? Tell them their internet is at risk.
In a new study, researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Oregon found that thousands of miles of buried fiber optic cable are at risk of drowning under the rising seas. This isn’t something that will happen in the distant future, but could be a reality in just 15 years, the study suggests. Better backup your Tumblr.
The peer-reviewed study combined data from the Internet Atlas, the map that keeps track of the physical internet, and projections of sea level incursion from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It found that more than 4,000 miles of the conduit that carries the internet to much of the United States could be exposed to seawater by 2033. While the buried fiber optic cables are designed to be water-resistant, they are not waterproof, and that means potential trouble for coastal residents who like the internet (a.k.a. everyone but Luddites, infants, and my grandma).
The most susceptible networks are those of CenturyLink, Inteliquent, and AT&T, while the U.S. cities at highest risk of losing internet access are New York, Miami, and Seattle. However, the effects of internet outages in those areas would ripple across the internet faster than a viral cat video.
Gosh - current cable may get damaged - what was laid once can be laid again - even better......;-)
thunderstorms kill my internet on a regular basis
We need NET CARBON NEUTRALITY! /s
First the “study” was conducting not any initial independent research, or empirical test of any prior claims, but merely accepted, like religious faithful, a premise about the so-called rate of seal level rise. Accepting that rate on faith, not evidence, all else it needed was where are Internet traffic transmitting cables.
The one real SCIENTIFIC question they did not investigate was should they take as a matter of faith alone that seal level rise predictions have any accuracy. I think they need to go back and get a better education, learn to do their own due diligence and learn to do their own critical thinking.
This would effect the NSA et al’s ability to gather intel on the citizenry. Thus, the US Gubmint will be all over getting a solution.
but could be a reality in just 15 years, the study suggests.
Great then in 2033 I will Expect their IMPRISONMENT and CIVIL ASSET FORFEITURE when their Fraudulent Claims of Doomsday don’t pan out
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.