Journal #1: The Carrington Effect

On February 19, 2020 at approximately 12:34 AM a large coronal mass ejection (CME) is predicted to impact the Earth, unleashing the largest geomagnetic storm ever recorded in human history. The magnitude of this event is predicted to be on par or slightly greater than the Carrington Event of 1859 during which aurora borealis were seen as far south as Cuba and telegraph networks rendered inoperable as the hyper-ionized atmosphere quickly overloaded the system: shocking operators, melting equipment, and causing telegraph poles to burst into flame as the system short circuited. NASA officials are warning individuals to prepare for the worst. Widespread power and communication outages are to be expected, conditions which may last for several months or possibly even a year.
Mayor Byron Brown notes, 'We are in a good position to hold out for a number of months here in Buffalo as we live close to both a large body of fresh water and acres of productive farm land. I should also stress that the only way we are going to make it through the next year is if we come together, pooling our resources and talents. Some would say we are about to be cast back into the Stone Age, however, I believe we have the ability to survive if we can reconfigure our society to sustain itself without the modern conveniences of which we have become accustomed."
For this journal entry, you should demonstrate your understanding of how early tools and agricultural systems shaped our culture and society by considering ways in which Buffalo and its surrounding spaces would be transformed by a shift back to an earlier subsistence agrarian, or quite possibly, hunter-gatherer society. Speculate on which earlier technologies and skills would need to be re-adopted, re-established, and/or reassessed, and how the return to a subsistence agricultural/hunter-gatherer society might be carried out.
In a 500 word letter, not to exceed 550 words, provide suggestions to Mayor Brown for helping Buffalo survive a year without the conveniences of electronic devices or electricity. In your proposal, you should provide the Mayor with the following:
1. A list of 3 tools/technologies he should consider distributing to individuals immediately, briefly explaining their function in ensuring the survival of the community as well as the individual (6 points);
2. A suggestion for equitably distributing food and water to Buffalo's 270,000 residents when modern agricultural technologies are no longer available (2 points); and,
3. A solution for providing heating and cooking fuel to a cold and hungry population which effectively manages scarce resources (2 points).
Your answers should reference the readings, lecture notes, videos, and discussions presented in class and reflect your consideration of how tools and technologies enable the maintenance and continuation of our species. A complete answer will address the three questions presented.