A Knockout Blow to Modern Civilization?

The intense solar storm due for 2012 will blanket the Earth with waves of energy that might disrupt the magnetosphere, sending wild surges of vast electrical current through high-voltage transformers and short-circuiting energy grids. And due to the interconnected nature of these grids, when one fails, it would knock out the others surrounding it, like tumbling dominos. It would also kill or severely disrupt satellites orbiting the Earth, leading to blackouts in communication, navigation and more. The NOA estimated that the damage would cost $1 trillion to $2 trillion in the first year, but full recovery could take 4 to 10 years. The human toll, they add, would be extreme:

Impacts would be felt on interdependent infrastructures with, for example, potable water distribution affected within several hours; perishable foods and medications lost in 12-24 hours; immediate or eventual loss of heating/air conditioning, sewage disposal, phone service, transportation, fuel resupply and so on. Emergency services would be strained, and command and control might be lost.

In addition, financial markets could shutter and trade between countries might halt for years until the electrical grid is repaired. All of human civilization could come to a screeching halt thanks to a supercharged bolt of energy from the sun.

Given that all of this is public knowledgeit comes from agencies run or funded by the governmentwhy hasn't our country done more to publicize the dangers of the oncoming storm? And, more importantly, what has the government done to try to prevent this possible catastrophe? It would not take much to prepare and solar-proof the U.S.'s electrical grid, according to Larry Joseph. He believes that retrofitting 5,000 transformers with special resistors to protect them from geomagnetically induced currents that flow into the grid could cost as little as $200 million in total. But, Joseph warned, immediate action must be takenfor time, he says, is running out.

Surviving 2012, Silo-Style

Scientists are unsure what the full spectrum of reactions may be to the 2012 storm event. Problems with the electrical grid are expected, but some say the polarity of the Earth may switch; others say that massive typhoons, tidal waves and tsunamis will sweep the globe; and still others predict that the planet will be rocked by cataclysmic earthquakes. But whatever destruction may come in 2012, there are some very concerned citizens taking steps to ensure that they survive the onslaught.

One of those is architect and engineer Brian Camden. He has been retrofitting abandoned missile silos throughout the country into designer survival condos. They once held intercontinental nuclear missiles capable of reaching the Soviet Union. Now theyre six post-apocalyptic condos. They have wind turbines and photovoltaic batteries for power. Each even has a gym and theater. Camden assures that the residents would be safe from whatever dangers 2012 might bring: The 2012 bunkers we build now are designed to be completely submerged under water for 100 hours and to withstand fires of the surrounding area to 1,200 degrees for six days.

Camden says hes not done: The U.S. government, for the last 10 years, has been on a massive shelter-building program from coast to coast. Why?