There are many scary things happening across the planet right now.
One benefit of sitting on an island at the end of the world is that in some ways we're like outside observers, thinking the horrors affecting other countries won't touch us, that Europe, Africa, the Middle East and North
America are so far away we're immune from whatever disaster or threat is story of the day.
But that fantasy is doomed to be short-lived.
The marvels of the modern world that have shrunk the globe by making travel and communication so quick, effective and easy, ensure that despite our far-flung position we are very much an active participant in international activity, and vulnerable.
But the worst threat isn't necessarily the virulent Ebola or the rising Islamic State or any other number of modern ills - perhaps the worst threat is the one we've known about for years, and have had the ability to act on for ages - a threat that is creating havoc right now, and will continue to have a devastating effect as we grow old and as our children and grandchildren grow old.
