Because of our interconnectedness the world is facing a moment of real destructive possibility. This could trigger world revolution, just as it helped to trigger the French Revolution 200 years ago. We are so tied together across the globe that hardship in Europe will be felt everywhere. Supply chains will be disrupted along with the flow of capital, each a link in a chain that must stay whole for all it's parts to work.
I don't want to sound like some crazy whack job but let history be your guide. This volcano has a history of causing massive societal disruption in Europe. It doesn't take a genius to understand that things have changed a bit since the last time because of globalization. As goes Europe, to some extent, so goes the world.
"One million Britons were stranded abroad last night by the travel paralysis caused by volcanic ash.
The unprecedented air lockdown was extended until at least 1am tomorrow, with Qantas cancelling all flights to Europe until further notice, and the chaos and confusion will drift well into next week.
...Fruit and vegetables including lettuce, grapes, spring onions and asparagus may be missing from many supermarket shelves next week and firms specialising in flying in produce from overseas are also warning of higher prices.
The transport giant Norbert Dentressangle said activity at its perishable air freight handling centre at Heathrow, the UK's largest, was at a standstill.
The result will be a three-day shortfall in the supply of products including prepacked fruit salads and flowers.
It said that while there are enough products on shelves and in warehouses to see stores through the weekend, supermarkets will be 'severely impacted' next week.
...Pilots have reported smelling sulphur dioxide, a gas released by volcanoes, in cockpits, and scientists said traces of volcanic dust on the ground had been found in Sunderland, Sheffield, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Lerwick.
The World Health Organisation said Europeans should try to stay indoors if ash starts falling from the sky.
A spokesman said the microscopic ash was potentially dangerous because inhaled particles can reach the lungs and cause respiratory problems. There is a heightened risk for those with asthma and respiratory diseases.
And while airlines are re-booking and refunding customers, critics accused insurance firms of dragging their feet in deciding whether they would compensate travellers or invoke catchall 'Act of God' clauses to escape a pay-out."
Daily Mail
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment