We need to be better prepared for solar flares

The Covid-19 pandemic is difficult to deal with. The latest ‘excess deaths’ (the most robust measure) shows that at 8 % we are the worst among major states in Europe. Boris Cummings responded too slowly, having made little provision for the known likelihood of a pandemic ‘some time’. Now we see a similar lack of provision for a year without school exams . What else may we be unprepared for?

One event that, like a pandemic, we can be fairly sure will happen ‘some time’ is a major solar flare emitted in our direction. The sun emits flares (high speed jets) of charged particles all the time. Most flares are small and we are protected from them by the Earth’s magnetic field. Bigger ones just enhance the Auroras. About 150 years ago a massive flare was ejected in Earth’s direction. There were no electronic devices then. But nowadays we might expect to lose many/most satellites, and at least a lot of computers/smart phones on the ground. Could we cope with that? Do we have contingency plans and necessary preparations? I would like to know.

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