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Combating Climate Risks With 3D Printing

Posted by samzenpus on from the printing-a-better-tomorrow dept.

Lasrick writes: While security risks that emanate from climate change will not always require military responses, the technological innovations that 3D printing makes possible can significantly improve the tools available for both militaries and civilian institutions when responding to, preparing for, and mitigating those risks. These benefits come in five main forms, and this article details what they are and how each may work: Rapid response and prototyping; Democratization of preparedness and response; De-globalizing hazards; Increasing accessibility; Enhancing energy efficiency. The authors clearly believe that 3D printing will be a key tool in mitigating effects from natural disasters: "If the United States, including the Department of Defense, truly believes that climate change presents 'immediate risks to national security,' then developing all the tools necessary to combat those risks should be a high priority. 3D printing, given its potential utility in helping us adapt to and mitigate climate risks, and doing so cost-effectively, is one tool that deserves close attention."

3 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. 3D printing fanboi much? by Irate+Engineer · · Score: 4, Funny

    3D printing! It slices, it dices, it cures erectile dysfunction (even yours!), it fucking prints money! It. will. save. the. world.

    Whoa Sparky...slow down. Breathe.

    3D printing may be useful, great, but kill the hyperbole. It is a technology, and all technologies have a niche. Be a 3D printing fanbois all you want, but you cannot jam 3D printing into places where it is not wanted or is not useful. The users will know the difference and 3D printing will settle into its niche naturally.

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    Left MS Windows for Linux Mint and never looked back!

    Vote for Bernie in 2016!

    1. Re:3D printing fanboi much? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      Can we get a network of 3D printed things?

      sorry, let me re-word that for the New Slashdot

      You Won't Believe this Network of 3D Printed Things!

      things you might also like:
      -Top 10 Linux Celebs
      -The problem between keyboard and chair might be closer than you think
      -Why E3 Matters This Year

  2. Confusing Article by BlueStrat · · Score: 2, Funny

    TFA is unclear.

    Are the 3D-printing fanbois trying to ride on the Warmist's :"perceived-legitimacy" coattails, or is it the Wamists who are attempting to ride 3D-printing's "perceived-legitimacy" coattails?

    Seems to be a lose-lose either way.

    Strat

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    Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.