An update to the following:
http://www.nature.com/news/science-advice-1.15760?WT.mc_id=EMI_NATURE_1409_SCIADVICESUBALERT_PORFOLIO

I have been doing public out-reach programs for more than 22 years. I have tried to inform young and old about what I do, why I do it, and about the excitement of astronomy and research. However, this morning I realized how fortunate I have been, and how ill.prepared I am for dealing with some catastrophic astronomical events.

http://www.nature.com/polopoly_fs/1.15774!/menu/main/topColumns/topLeftColumn/pdf/512360a.pdf
(with examples from Iceland, USA, and Germany)

and

http://www.globalscienceadvice.org/

Better educated scientist and better educated politicians are required - and a better educated general public can help.

All sides might read:

http://www.globalscienceadvice.org/media/