Ep 9. Death by Dust Storm

Death by Dust Storm is the ninth episode of the first season of the documentary series, Serial Killer Earth. In this episode, the focus is on a natural disaster that can bring doom and destruction.

The episode begins by introducing a typical dust storm, a phenomenon that typically occurs in arid areas and desert regions. The viewers are shown how a dust storm gains momentum by accumulating layers of sand and dust particles that are carried by powerful winds. The vast amounts of sand and dust that can be lifted in the air can cause low visibility, disrupt transport systems, and pose significant health risks.

The episode then explores how a severe dust storm can put human lives in danger. One of the most devastating dust storms in history is highlighted in the episode: the Dust Bowl that hit the Great Plains in the 1930s. The viewers are shown how the Dust Bowl caused widespread crop failures, soil erosion, and the displacement of millions of people. The episode educates the viewers on how modern measures taken by farmers and governments have prevented a recurrence of such a disaster.

However, the episode does not paint a rosy picture of the future. Dust storms are still happening in different parts of the world, and climate change could exacerbate their occurrence. The episode highlights how a dust storm in Melbourne, Australia, in 1983, created a health emergency, with thousands of people needing hospitalization due to respiratory issues. The episode educates the viewers on how people can minimize their exposure to dust storms by wearing masks and staying indoors with closed windows, but at the same time reminds them that such measures might not be enough in case of a severe storm.

One of the main worries highlighted in this episode is how a dust storm could cripple essential infrastructure and cause severe economic damages. The viewers are shown how a dust storm in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2011, created chaos and disrupted the power grid of the city. The episode educates the viewers on how natural disasters like dust storms can have cascading effects on complex systems that modern society relies on, leading to unforeseen consequences.

Finally, the episode explores how a dust storm could impact global trading networks, one of the pillars of modern globalization. The viewers are shown how dust storms can disrupt the movement of goods by land and air, causing significant economic losses. The episode highlights how, in 2007, a dust storm in China caused the shutdown of several airports, delaying international shipments and causing massive losses for businesses. The viewers are also introduced to how a dust storm caused a shipwreck off the coast of Greece in 2018, killing nine crew members.

Overall, Death by Dust Storm educates the viewers on how a seemingly harmless phenomenon like a dust storm can create severe and lasting impacts on human society. The episode achieves this objective by utilizing a series of engaging visuals, historic footage, and expert interviews. By highlighting the varied ways in which a dust storm could impact human lives, the episode urges people to take preventive steps and be prepared for a natural disaster that can strike at any moment. The episode also raises questions about our dependence on highly interconnected systems, the need for resilience, and how communities can collaborate to overcome such challenges.