Is World War III likely to break out soon?
Assessing the likelihood of a third world war is complex, and opinions from experts and the public vary. There is no consensus that a global conflict is “imminent,” but many sources indicate a heightened state of global risk and a growing concern about the possibility of a major conflict in the coming decade.
- Expert and Public Opinion: A survey by the Atlantic Council, a global affairs think tank, found that 40% of over 300 experts believe a world war involving major nations like the U.S., China, and Russia is likely within the next 10 years. A YouGov survey also showed that a significant portion of Europeans and Americans (41%-55%) think another world war is likely in the next 5-10 years, with a large majority of those surveyed expecting nuclear weapons to be used.
- Current Global Geopolitical Landscape: The world is experiencing a number of active conflicts and rising tensions that contribute to this concern. These include:
- The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.
- The conflict between Israel and Iran, with the U.S. reportedly involved in recent aerial bombardments.
- The Israel-Hamas conflict and its broader regional implications.
- Rising tensions between India and Pakistan following a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
- Internal conflicts in other regions, such as the civil wars in Sudan and the Congo.
- The potential for a conflict over Taiwan, which many experts see as a significant flashpoint.
- Escalation Factors: Experts point to several factors that could escalate regional tensions into a wider conflict:
- The shifting global power balance and the potential for a new “multipolar” world with distinct geopolitical blocs.
- The rise of political extremism and domestic challenges in major powers like the U.S. and China.
- Competition for critical resources like minerals, food, and water.
- The increasing use of cyber warfare and the potential for conflict to extend into outer space.
While these factors highlight a concerning trend, they do not guarantee a global war. However, they do suggest that the international community is in a period of significant instability and elevated risk.
But with the government publishing “emergency plans” its not just war outbreak, but also natural disasters, cyber attacks and short comings. Im sure we all saw the shortages during covid?
At-Home Preparedness
Regardless of the likelihood of a major conflict, preparing for emergencies is a prudent measure that can help you and your family navigate a wide range of potential disruptions, from natural disasters to extended power outages. Here’s a guide to ensuring you have a supply of power, water, and food.
1. Power
- Backup Power Sources: Have multiple ways to generate electricity. A portable generator can power essential appliances, but must always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Fuel pumps will go out, and storing modern fuels can stagnate. Smaller, rechargeable power banks are also crucial for keeping phones and other small devices charged. But you will still need to charge them.
- Lighting: Stock up on battery-powered or hand-crank flashlights and lanterns. Avoid candles, which are a fire hazard.
- Safety: Install carbon monoxide detectors with battery backups on every floor of your home. In the event of an outage, unplug all sensitive electronics to protect them from a power surge when and if electricity is restored.
- Devices: EMP ( from nuclear attacks) could render many devices broke. You should keep analogue or other devices in a EMP proof area to sure communications can take place as well as certain devices, like inverters and battery bms.
2. Water
- Storage: The general recommendation is to store at least one gallon of water per person, per day, for several days. Aim for a two-week supply if possible. Unopened commercially bottled water is the safest option. For long-term storage, use FDA-approved food-grade containers and replace the water every six months.
- Contingency: In an emergency, you can use water from your home’s hot water heater or melt ice cubes from your freezer. You can also fill bathtubs or other clean containers with water if you have advance warning of a disruption.
- Purification: Have a plan to purify water from non-potable sources. A bottle of unscented household chlorine bleach (5-9% sodium hypochlorite) can be used to disinfect water. Water purification tablets or a portable water filter can also be invaluable.
3. Food
- Non-Perishable Stockpile: Store at least a two-week supply of non-perishable food that requires little to no cooking and can be eaten cold. Items to consider include:
- Canned goods (fruits, vegetables, beans, meats, fish)
- Ready-to-eat meals, such as MREs (Meals, Ready-to-Eat)
- Dry goods (pasta, rice, grains)
- High-energy snacks (protein bars, nuts, crackers, peanut butter)
- Powdered milk, baby formula, and pet food, if needed.
- Rotation: Keep your food supply fresh by regularly rotating items. Store new purchases at the back of the shelf and use older items first.
- Preparation: Have a manual can opener and disposable plates and utensils to conserve water. Consider a camping stove or grill as a backup for cooking, but only use it in a well-ventilated area, and never indoors.
- Basics: How would you start a fire? Cooking or preparing water for storage needs to have some basic functions, you are on your own, how are you going to make things work after a week or even a month?
Other General Preparedness Measures
- Emergency Kit: Assemble a “go-bag” with essential items like a first-aid kit, copies of important documents, medications, personal hygiene products, and cash.
- Communication: Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio for receiving emergency broadcasts. In an emergency, your mobile phone’s GPS may still work even without a network signal.
- Home Safety: Know your home’s emergency exit routes and have a meeting place for your family. Be prepared to close off rooms and use blankets to retain heat if necessary.
Solar power even by means of just a solar panel, can be used to charge devices, the key here is to have a buck converter which can be used to give various output voltages from the panel to a device. These would need to be protected and can be small and easy to transport, unlike some larger solar panels.
Water can be stored in a IBC as long as it is out of sun light. We would use 2 IBCs, but also keep pumps and filtration systems.
Will solar work?
For most home with solar installed, its not going to work without the grid, this is a main target in wars. you would need a off grid system or a hybrid with a EPS/UPS function. These only work if they are not hit by that EMP as it could wipe out the coding and electronics parts.
Solar inverters, like most modern electronic devices, are filled with sensitive semiconductor components and microprocessors. An EMP works by inducing extremely high voltages and currents in any electrical conductor, including the wiring connected to a solar power system. This surge of energy can easily overwhelm and permanently damage the delicate circuitry of the inverter, causing it to fail.
- Fast Pulse (E1): The initial, very fast pulse of a nuclear EMP (E1) is the most dangerous to electronics. It can induce voltage spikes that exceed the tolerance of the inverter’s components, effectively “frying” them before standard surge protectors can react.
- Longer Pulse (E3): A slower, longer-duration pulse (E3), which is similar to a solar storm, can induce quasi-direct currents in long conductors like power lines. If your solar system is connected to the electrical grid, this surge could travel back from the grid and destroy the inverter. Even off-grid systems with long cable runs are vulnerable to this effect.
How to Protect a Solar Inverter from an EMP
Protecting against an EMP is challenging but not impossible. The most effective methods include:
- Faraday Cage: Storing a spare inverter in a Faraday cage (a sealed, conductive enclosure) can protect it from the electromagnetic pulse. This requires the inverter to be disconnected and stored safely before an event.
- EMP-Hardened Equipment: Some companies now offer “EMP-hardened” solar inverters and charge controllers specifically designed to withstand these events. These devices incorporate advanced shielding and surge protection mechanisms.
- Disconnecting the System: In a scenario where there is warning of a potential EMP event, such as a major solar flare, the safest action is to disconnect the system from all external wiring and the grid. This prevents the surges from reaching the sensitive components.
It is worth mentioning that it has been reported that remote shutdowns could take effect where the attack is from the internet, therefore it is wise to not have an internet connected device if something is looming. We do offer alternatives and therefore you can isolate much of the systems while retaining information sharing (a private internet).
RenewSolar cater for a range of customers and a wider range of solutions, we do not always have everything on line, but we may shock you with our resources and skill set.
One response
I wrote this a few days ago and today I saw Putin addressing Russia live and thought… this article is apt.
I think we may need to do a little more from the building side of things bunkers are possibly in high demand, but nuclear war ends everything.. Apart from two places, which is a little bits of new Zealand and Australia.. not moving there though. but this was from some expert in nuclear war and sadly guys the rich have already bought in the area and have bunkers there.