Nation Factbook:
Here is a copy of the public version of the nation factbook, public version. As changes are made to the factbook, new posts will be made, but this post will remain to serve as comparison. For obvious reasons, the private version of the factbook cannot be put up.
Disaster Prevention: Taking a look at Japan's Earthquake:
Earthquake hits Japan and Causes Tsunami
Japan Tries to Contain Nuclear Leaks as Earthquake Death Toll May Top 1,400
What we can learn from this:
Citizen Evacuation:
Citizens should be evacuated from their homes to the central city areas, preferably half a day before the earthquake or tsunami occurs. For this, our earthquake detection methods will have to be very advanced, and citizens will have to be drilled and trained to evacuate quickly and efficiently. Our nation can also closely follow natural disasters in neighboring nations. If an earthquake hits a neighboring nation, it's possible that a tsunami or the earthquake might reach Kneedles, so we'll follow the situation in other countries, to serve as a warning.
Nation's relations: Nations should take an active role in helping other nations if a damaging disaster occurs. There are multiple reasons for this. First of all, if a nation's economy suffers as a result of disaster, the whole of La peace will suffer economically. Furthermore, if Kneedles itself is struck by disaster, it will be immensely helpful to have other nations indebted to help you.
Citizens should be evacuated from their homes to the central city areas, preferably half a day before the earthquake or tsunami occurs. For this, our earthquake detection methods will have to be very advanced, and citizens will have to be drilled and trained to evacuate quickly and efficiently. Our nation can also closely follow natural disasters in neighboring nations. If an earthquake hits a neighboring nation, it's possible that a tsunami or the earthquake might reach Kneedles, so we'll follow the situation in other countries, to serve as a warning.
Nation's relations: Nations should take an active role in helping other nations if a damaging disaster occurs. There are multiple reasons for this. First of all, if a nation's economy suffers as a result of disaster, the whole of La peace will suffer economically. Furthermore, if Kneedles itself is struck by disaster, it will be immensely helpful to have other nations indebted to help you.
Emergency and Rescue Procedures:
Kneedles should keep a supply of ships and helicopters constantly available in case of disasters, as well as other forms of evacuation technologies. In case of disasters, ships will be greatly useful in extinguishing fires, transporting large amounts of people, and doing other large scale operations. Helicopters, in this case, are very important because after earthquakes, many places might not be navigable. Helicopters will help evacuate people from flooded or otherwise damaged areas, and also bring food and supplies to those that can't be rescued immediately. Medics and rescue specialists will be the main workforce behind rescue operations.
Kneedles should keep a supply of ships and helicopters constantly available in case of disasters, as well as other forms of evacuation technologies. In case of disasters, ships will be greatly useful in extinguishing fires, transporting large amounts of people, and doing other large scale operations. Helicopters, in this case, are very important because after earthquakes, many places might not be navigable. Helicopters will help evacuate people from flooded or otherwise damaged areas, and also bring food and supplies to those that can't be rescued immediately. Medics and rescue specialists will be the main workforce behind rescue operations.
Nuclear emergency Procedures:
For now, Kneedles has yet to seriously or heavily invest in nuclear energy, but there are important points to consider in case we do use nuclear energy. First of all, the location of nuclear power plants is very important; if possible, nuclear plants should be located in areas that aren't heavily populated, and in areas where earthquakes and tsunamis present less risk. The design of nuclear power plants is also important; the plants will have to be resistant to earthquakes up to level 10 earthquakes, cooling systems will have to be able to work even in the case where the nuclear plant is shut down. Furthermore, evacuation of people around the plant will have to be very quick in case of even partial core meltdown. Citizens close to the plant should also be instructed to close their houses and cover up their bodies in such cases.
Oil Reserve:
Kneedles has one main large oil reserve that is extremely important. Thus, it is crucial for Kneedles to design the oil refining areas so that they won't catch fire easily. For one, oil refineries will be resistant to level 10 earthquakes and also be located far from each other to prevent a possible spread of fire.
Military:
Military technologies, such as warships and weapons, will be located in heavily secured areas so that they won't be destroyed by natural disasters. If they're destroyed, replacing them will be extremely costly, and rescue measures will be hampered.
websites related to the Japan Earthquake
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.before.after/index.html
http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/16702/considering-design-solutions-for-japan-earthquake-recovery/
For now, Kneedles has yet to seriously or heavily invest in nuclear energy, but there are important points to consider in case we do use nuclear energy. First of all, the location of nuclear power plants is very important; if possible, nuclear plants should be located in areas that aren't heavily populated, and in areas where earthquakes and tsunamis present less risk. The design of nuclear power plants is also important; the plants will have to be resistant to earthquakes up to level 10 earthquakes, cooling systems will have to be able to work even in the case where the nuclear plant is shut down. Furthermore, evacuation of people around the plant will have to be very quick in case of even partial core meltdown. Citizens close to the plant should also be instructed to close their houses and cover up their bodies in such cases.
Oil Reserve:
Kneedles has one main large oil reserve that is extremely important. Thus, it is crucial for Kneedles to design the oil refining areas so that they won't catch fire easily. For one, oil refineries will be resistant to level 10 earthquakes and also be located far from each other to prevent a possible spread of fire.
Military:
Military technologies, such as warships and weapons, will be located in heavily secured areas so that they won't be destroyed by natural disasters. If they're destroyed, replacing them will be extremely costly, and rescue measures will be hampered.
websites related to the Japan Earthquake
http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/japan.before.after/index.html
http://www.architizer.com/en_us/blog/dyn/16702/considering-design-solutions-for-japan-earthquake-recovery/
Disaster Prevention Report for Kneedles
Visit the document using this link!
https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1TUZ_pJ1wALZ-BS3_CblaPhTXs9TKFm3AGJdkbxe1ZT4
Online Simulation: Creating Your Own Nation-State
I just recently found this website, where you can create an account and basically nurture your own nation. it's actually surprisingly similar to the simulation we are doing in class right now. The game introduces you to economic, political, health, and other important issues in creating a nation. It also introduces some controversies in governments, such as the treatment of criminals, the importance of democracy, and whether or not capitalism is the way to go in the future. It also has many other aspects of a nation, such as assemblies discussing issues like cloning that are controversial.
http://www.nationstates.net/?logout=1
Disaster Responses:
Immediate Response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IprxYG8S2w
Written report:
Good day to all of the citizens of Kneedles, as well as the people of our neighboring nations. I have come to make a very unfortunate announcement about a tragic event that has just taken place in Kneedles. Earlier today, at around 9:00A.M., a massive earthquake with a 9.0 magnitude hit Kneedles, most seriously around Konig City and its surrounding villages, destroying the buildings in many areas and harming many people. The earthquake will soon be followed by a tsunami. As you can see, situations are grim, and the full extent of the damage caused by this earthquake will not become clear for weeks to come. However, under the earthquake and tsunami prevention policy designed by the Kneedles government with the cooperation of many experts, many people have safely evacuated, and are even now currently being evacuated to centers located closer to the center of Kneedles, where the tsunami will not reach. As of now, the damage assessment shows that no highly dangerous power plants, such as nuclear power plants, have been destroyed. Konig City, thanks to its advanced infrastructure, has received minimal damage to infrastructure, though it is still too dangerous to live in. The two villages close to Konig City, however, have almost been wiped out, and rescuers are even now trying to find the 30% of the villagers that failed to evacuate after the earthquake alarm sounded. The process of evacuation has gone well in most areas, with over 80% of all citizens in affected areas evacuated, but for things to proceed efficiently, we will need the help of all the nations in La Peace. As of now, Kneedles has, as an emergency measure, adjusted the trading and import laws of our Nation to allow food imports to come in at a quicker pace. As such, I greatly encourage that all nations contribute to saving the victims of the earthquake by importing in food and other items necessary for survival. Our media will also provide an updated and accurate account of the damage caused by the earthquake regularly. This is because the nation of Kneedles understands that in such situations, hiding information from the public will do no good, and that we must inform our citizens of the truth of the events taking place, as it is their right to understand what is happening and thus take preventive measures. Once again, I tell all the nations of La Peace: we must work together to recover from this earthquake, as though Kneedles was affected the most by it, all of the nations in La Peace will also be damaged by the earthquake.
The earthquake also raises concerns about the state of Kneedles’ economy, as many businesses have been stalled or otherwise negatively affected by the disaster. However, the earthquake’s damage to the economy will not be a major source of worry, as this damage will be short-lived. However, this earthquake has brought into attention another problem that will damage our economy: in the recent year, the oil reserves in Kneedles have been depleted to a point where we are forced to consider the consequences of this event, and the measures we must take. As of now, economists predict that the Consumer Price Index to rise from 106.54 to 108.6708, rising by about 2%. Economists also predict that there will be inflation. As of now, we have taken measures to fight this possible economic downturn by investing in companies that research and develop sustainable energy resources. We are also going to adjust our foreign policy to encourage more imports and exports with neighboring nations. The media and educational systems are also encouraging the use of non-fossil fuel based products. As of now, the government doesn’t plan to solve the economic issue through gigantic spending plans, as borrowing money from other countries will push up the value of the dollar and make Kneedles’ businesses internationally uncompetitive. As a short-term measure, Kneedles is planning to increase imports of oil from Allied nations, such as Isonomia, though this will most likely not be a permanent measure.
Long term Response:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKT1OH9QPwI
Written Report:
Dear fellow Kneedlians, I am here today to address the two major challenges that the nation of Kneedles has been facing recently. One is the horrible disaster that took the lives of tens of thousands of the loyal Kneedles citizens. And the other, is the crisis that our economy is facing due to the lack of petroleum production. With these issues, it might seem like the darkest time we have ever experienced in the long history of Kneedles. But I am here to reassure you that we must, and we will recover from this situation we are in. All of us are in a deep sorrow for the ones who were lost in the terrible disasters. But we must stand up and start acting towards tomorrow, as that is our duty – the burden put upon the shoulders of the survivors, and we, united as one nation, can recover from this tragedy and bring our nation back to a bright day – in fact, a day brighter than any of the days in our glorious past.
Here is a portion of the plans toward the reconstruction of areas damaged by the series of horrible natural disasters. We have already started building tens of thousands of portable houses in the northern and eastern parts of the nation, where the people who have lost their homes can be sheltered and protected. Meanwhile, the Kneedlian army and police forces are out in the coastal area hit by tsunami and earthquake, clearing debris and searching for the missing people. After the removal of rubble from the Konig City and its surrounding villages, which is to be completed by the end of next month, we will begin the reconstruction of the city and the villages. First, we will rebuild a sturdy, reliable infrastructure in the damaged areas: roads, power lines, and water supplies. Not only will we rebuild infrastructure and facilities that were there before, but we also are building a set of structures that would protect the citizens from the danger of future aftershocks and tsunamis: there will be 15-meter tall walls of cement just outside the harbor of Konig City, that will protect the harbor and the city from tsunamis. There will be facilities for the purpose of evacuation, strong enough to bear earthquakes. After these construction works, Konig City will become safer and cleaner than it has ever been.
Let me explain briefly about the second problem that we are facing. Since the end of last fall, the amount of petroleum produced in the northern islands has been dropping continuously. This is thought to be due to the massive subsidence occurring in those areas. Some of you might be worried that this would bring decline to the economy of Kneedles. But there is no need to worry. There will be clean, eco-friendly power plants using nuclear fusion power, placed on the land of Kneedles with the funding from the government of Kneedles. This will be more than enough to supply the needed electricity within the nation – we are planning to export energy, just as we were supplying oil to other nations. So my fellow Kneedlians, there is no need for any of you to worry: a bright future awaits the blessed nation of Kneedles.
