PrepareCenter.org
When it comes to preparedness know-how, ‘tis better to give and receive. Luckily, there’s PrepareCenter.org, a website all about helping preparedness professionals across the globe collaborate, share knowledge, and find solutions to common issues. The site, created by the American Red Cross and the International Federation of the Red Crescent’s Global Disaster Preparedness Center, features Wikipedia-style content development, resources in 16 different languages, and a wide variety of tools and research.


Global Carbon Atlas
It’s 8 p.m. Do you know where your global carbon footprint is? It’s easy to find out with the Global Carbon Atlas, a web resource that allows users to visualize the world’s carbon output in several ways: view emissions over time, by country or type, or by ranking. The up-to-date data can be presented and saved in various formats. Research resources and an educational outreach element make this site the perfect tool for finally getting a clear picture of the world’s emissions.


Social Media for Crisis Communications
When it comes to communicating during a crisis, emergency agencies can’t afford not to use social media. This collection of information from HowTo.Gov will help crisis communicators better leverage their online communities, recover quickly from social media gaffes, and avoid the pitfalls that might cause them in the first place. Based on a November Webinar, users can choose to learn more through a video presentation, transcript, or slideshow.


Post-Disaster Reunification of Children: A Nationwide Approach
Parents separated from the children in times of disaster will go to any length to be reunited, including ignoring orders to evacuate or shelter in place. But studies have shown parents familiar with caregiver emergency plans and reunification procedures are more likely to follow safety orders. This report aims to help government and community leaders focus on swift and reliable reunification so everyone stays safe. The document provides operational guidance, defines agency roles at many levels, and offers checklists and emergency planning templates.


Abrupt Impacts of Climate Change: Anticipating Surprises
As we learn more about the changing climate, we’ve seen that the expected impacts of human-caused warming aren’t as distant as scientists had previously thought. And in some cases the opposite is true, that some things that were considered imminent threats may not occur this century. This brief report by the National Academies of Sciences looks at what we know about abrupt changes in the climate system, identifies needed research, and recommends creating an abrupt-change, early-warning system to make sure we aren’t caught off guard. It’s an interesting read, but if you need a little more drama, you can check out what happened when Mother Jones applied the report findings to Hollywood blockbusters.