Topics & People

AlphaFold
Technology

A breakthrough AI system from DeepMind that predicts the 3D structure of proteins, for which Demis Hassabis won the Nobel Prize. It is a key technology for Isomorphic Labs.

FEMA
PoliticalEntity

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, a US government body that manages the National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP) and provides disaster relief.

The market for property insurance, which is becoming untenable in climate-risk areas like Florida, leading to state subsidies, insurers leaving the market, and the potential need for federal bailouts.

A significant real estate market, with values from $500 billion to a trillion dollars, facing existential economic risk due to the increased frequency of catastrophic hurricanes.

A chemical compound previously common in shipping fuel. A recent ban on these emissions, which reflected sunlight and had a cooling effect, is theorized to be a contributing factor to rapid ocean warming.

Ocean Warming
ScientificConcept

The scientific phenomenon of rising sea surface temperatures due to the absorption of solar energy. It is identified as the primary driver for the rapid intensification of storms like Hurricane Otis.

A major hurricane that made landfall in Florida, initially a Category 5, causing an estimated $40-50 billion in losses.

A powerful hurricane that caused over 220 fatalities and significant economic damage in six Southern states, particularly devastating Western North Carolina.

A powerful state agency in California with authority over coastal development. Its strict regulations are discussed as a potential major obstacle for homeowners trying to rebuild after the LA Wildfires.

An acronym for "Not In My Backyard," representing the strong opposition of local residents to new developments. This is discussed as a primary political and social hurdle for building new nuclear power plants in the U.S.

Chyros Power
Organization

A company developing small modular reactors, which has an offtake agreement to sell energy directly to Google.

Virginia
Location

A US state, home to 'data center alley,' where the high energy consumption of data centers is becoming a major political and economic issue.