My Two Cents: Weatherproofing Legal Practice: Steps Lawyers Must Take To Mitigate Disruptions From Power And Internet Failures Caused By Climate Change.
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As a lawyer, are you ready for the impact climate change or extreme weather may have on your practice?
Let's talk about how climate change can affect the ways lawyers do business. (Note: if you don't believe in the science behind climate change don't be dismissive of this editorial. Any extreme weather event, from climate change or not, can be catastrophic to your legal price). Climate change is a pressing global issue that has far-reaching implications for various sectors, including the legal profession. As temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent and intense, power and internet failures can pose significant disruptions to our legal practice. Understanding the risks associated with climate change induced power and internet failures is crucial for lawyers to mitigate potential disruptions effectively.
One of the primary ways climate change can lead to power failures is through extreme weather events such as hurricanes, storms, or heatwaves. These events can cause damage to electrical infrastructure, including power lines, transformers, and substations. Rising sea levels also pose a threat by increasing the risk of coastal flooding, which can submerge critical power infrastructure or cause saltwater intrusion into electrical systems.
What is your backup plan should the power or internet go out in your office?
As a result of these climate-related impacts on electrical infrastructure, lawyers may experience prolonged power outages that impede their ability to conduct business. Similarly, climate change can also affect internet connectivity by disrupting telecommunications networks necessary for reliable internet access. If an outage occurs when your filing deadline approaches, your professional license, let alone your case, may be on the line.
Another aspect contributing to power and internet failures in the context of climate change is increased demand for electricity during extreme weather conditions. For instance, during heatwaves or cold snaps when people rely heavily on air conditioning or heating systems respectively, there is often a surge in electricity usage which strains existing electrical grids. This increased demand coupled with potential damages caused by extreme weather events puts additional pressure on energy infrastructures leading to blackouts or brownouts.
Have a plan shold your power or internet go out at work!
Furthermore, climate change-induced wildfires are becoming increasingly prevalent in many regions around the world. These fires have been known to destroy transmission lines and other electrical infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages. Similarly, the smoke and ash produced by wildfires can impair air quality, affecting the performance of internet equipment and leading to connectivity issues.
Understanding these risks is essential for lawyers to develop strategies that mitigate disruptions caused by climate change-induced power and internet failures. Implementing backup power systems such as generators, solar panels, or uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices can help ensure uninterrupted access to critical electronic systems during power outages. Diversifying internet service providers or utilizing mobile data hotspots as alternative connectivity options can provide redundancy in case of internet disruptions.
As climate change continues to shape our environment, lawyers must be proactive in recognizing and addressing the risks associated with power and internet failures. By understanding these risks and implementing appropriate strategies, legal professionals can weatherproof their practice against potential disruptions caused by climate change-induced power and internet failures.
Happy Lawyering!
MTC
PS: Did you you know your favorite TSL blogger not only has a J.D. but a Master’s in Science for Civil Engineering with courses concentrating in Environmental Engineering?!
