In a Nutshell:
- This wildfire season in Europe has kicked off earlier and with greater intensity than usual, with Portugal being one of the hardest-hit countries.
- An earthquake in Seattle could unleash a devastating 42-foot tsunami wave within just three minutes.
- Jackery is offering discounts of up to 30% on portable batteries and solar panels during Prime Day (July 12-13).
Global Food Prices Are Dropping, But Not Enough
While global food prices have seen a slight decline for the third consecutive month in June, according to the FAO, they remain close to the record highs recorded in March. The decrease in prices is attributed to improved crop conditions, increased Russian exports (possibly including stolen grain?), and the seasonal availability of produce from the Northern Hemisphere harvest:
Meanwhile, Brazil has imported record amounts of potassium chloride from Canada this year, indicating that farmers will have sufficient fertilizer to support crops, increase yields, and potentially expand cultivated land. For 2022, Brazil is projected to harvest a record 9 million tonnes of wheat.
Extreme weather events, combined with high gas prices, global inflation, and the lingering pandemic, have led to the worst food crisis since the 1960s. In countries like Somalia, which heavily relies on Ukrainian and Russian wheat, along with Ethiopia, South Sudan, Yemen, and Afghanistan, nearly 1 million people are currently at risk of starvation and death. The World Food Program reports that price hikes since March have pushed an additional 47 million people into acute food insecurity, meaning they cannot consume enough to sustain themselves, bringing the total number to 345 million. Of these, 50 million are on the brink of famine. Rising inflation is also affecting low-income populations in wealthier nations. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is willing to discuss grain exports, but the timing and outcome of these negotiations remain uncertain.
Meanwhile, Middle Eastern and African nations are sourcing wheat from the EU for the early part of the new season, which began this month. Over 1 million tonnes of Germany's new-crop wheat have already been sold to Iran and Africa. France is expected to compensate for Algeria's poor harvest and export to Morocco.
Rising fertilizer costs are threatening rice production across parts of Asia, where demand is rising, posing risks to food security.
Economy, Labor Market, and Supply Chain
Abbott’s baby formula plant in Michigan has reopened following flooding and began producing EleCare. However, Similac production has yet to resume at the facility.
Sri Lanka's deepening economic crisis sparked widespread protests, culminating in demonstrators storming the president's residence. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is set to resign on July 13. Here’s a comprehensive explainer on the Sri Lankan crisis: How did we get here and what comes next?
China's economy is suffering due to its zero-Covid policies. Despite efforts to stimulate growth, questions persist regarding the pandemic's trajectory and policy direction. The rapid spread of the Omicron variant, along with its subvariant BA.5, which emerged in China last week, has complicated efforts to contain outbreaks.
Deloitte analysts believe the semiconductor shortage is nearing its end. Chip manufacturers have ramped up capital spending, and critical factories are finally coming online after lengthy construction periods.
U.S. labor shortages could create new opportunities for former inmates. The National Conference of State Legislatures estimates that barriers faced by individuals with felony convictions resulted in the loss of at least 1.7 million workers from the workforce and cost the economy at least $78 billion in 2014. With over 11 million job openings in the U.S., this labor crunch could lead to more opportunities for ex-offenders.
New Study Highlights Tsunami Threat to Seattle
Recent simulations show that a magnitude 7.5 earthquake striking Puget Sound could inundate Seattle’s shoreline with over 20 feet (6 meters) of water, reaching parts of Bainbridge Island, Elliott Bay, and Alki Point within three minutes. A 42-foot (13-meter) wave could strike the Seattle Great Wheel downtown and extend as far inland as Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. This is further and faster than initially anticipated.
What should you do if an earthquake-tsunami hits? According to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (the authors of the report):
- Take cover somewhere safe during the initial earthquake shaking.
- Once the shaking stops, especially if it’s a large quake, head immediately to higher ground or away from the shoreline.
- If you're near water and notice water receding toward the open ocean, run!
- For more information on earthquakes and tsunamis, check out our tips and related blog posts.
Some proactive measures you can take:
- Sign up for earthquake and tsunami alerts. The MyShake app now covers Washington, California, and Oregon. Find more survival apps here. Learn how to enable FEMA test alerts on your phone.
- Be familiar with the natural warning signs of a tsunami, as time may be limited to wait for an official alert.
- Know your local tsunami evacuation routes and be prepared to evacuate at short notice.
- Check out our prioritized bug-out bag and IFAK lists.
- Start with this beginner’s checklist to ensure you have two weeks' worth of water, food, and other essentials.
If you're searching for a good tsunami-related movie, "The Impossible" (2012) is based on a firsthand account of the 2004 Thailand tsunami. We appreciated it because it’s a true story and highlights the chaos and danger following a tsunami.
NEW: A simulation of the impact of a ~7.5-magnitude earthquake on the Seattle Fault.
Tsunami waves could be as high as 42 feet at the Seattle Great Wheel and will reach inland as far as Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park. pic.twitter.com/y44PWHXQtv
— Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources (@waDNR) July 7, 2022
Wildfires, Drought, and Wet Bulb Temperatures
Over 3,000 firefighters are battling hundreds of wildfires across Portugal as temperatures soar to 43°C (109°F). Portugal has declared a "state of contingency" from July 11-15—a level just below calamity and emergency. The country has banned the use of farm machinery and fireworks while restricting public access to vulnerable forests. Pictures from the fires and community efforts to help are available. Compared to 2021, which saw catastrophic fires worldwide, this wildfire season in Europe began earlier and with more intensity than usual.
Alaska is experiencing another record-breaking wildfire season due to warm springs, low snowpack, and unusual thunderstorm activity. By early July, over 2 million acres had burned—more than double the average Alaska fire season. During a two-day period in early July, there were approximately 18,000 lightning strikes in the interior. Since 1990, the number of million-acre fires in Alaska has doubled. Smoke poses the most common human impact. Wildfires are also raging in California, Colorado, Oregon, Utah, and Arizona. Firefighters have managed to protect a grove of ancient sequoia trees in Yosemite National Park using a 4-foot-tall sprinkler system to maintain moisture levels.
Extreme heat and humidity, measured as 'wet-bulb temperature', have been on the rise. Recent studies indicate that this combination becomes dangerous at a wet-bulb temperature of 31°C (88°F), rather than the previously theorized 35°C. This equals 31°C at 100% humidity or 38°C (100°F) at 60% humidity. Even those with air conditioning may face challenges due to high energy costs and power outages. Low-cost alternatives like swamp coolers are ineffective above 21°C (70°F). Related: As heat rises, who will protect farmworkers?
Read about how this tribe survives in Colorado’s driest regions with just 10% of its allocated water supply.
Jackery Prime Day Deals (July 12-13): 20-30% Off Portable Batteries and Solar Panels
Jackery tipped us off about their Prime Day sales. We reviewed the Jackery Explorer 240 and found it to be a reliable power station, so if you're considering a power station or solar panel, Jackery products are a solid option.
Notable deals include:
- Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 - 30% off
- Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 300 - 30% off (likely valid only as a Deal of the Day for half a day or 36 hours)
- Jackery SolarSaga 100W Portable Solar Panel - 30% off (likely valid only as a Deal of the Day for half a day or 36 hours)
- Jackery Solar Generator 2000 Pro (with two 200W solar panels) - 25% off
Here are some tips for shopping online for preps without getting scammed on Prime Day, as well as how to avoid overspending or buying impractical gear.
Other Developments
NYC has released a public service announcement about what to do in the event of a nuclear attack. While officials stress that the risk of an attack on NYC is low, it’s crucial for residents to know the steps to stay safe:
A swimmer contracted a brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, after swimming in Lake of Three Fires in Taylor County, Iowa. Although present in warm freshwater across the U.S., infections are rare. Here’s how to protect yourself.
The FDA is reviewing an application for the first birth control pill to be sold without a prescription.
Foshan Gruwill Hardware Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.zsgruwill.com