Environmental Flame Out...

http://www.space.com/businesstechnology/070815_tw_without_optics.html

Solar flares - abrupt emissions on the sun's surface that release massive amounts of energy - can render satellites temporarily useless. Major flares can knock out electricity grids and even affect our weather. More generally, EUV-driven activity in the Earth's atmosphere has long-term effects on radio communications and climate. "These are real effects," Judge said, adding that a better understanding of solar flares could lead to the development of an early-warning system for weather forecasters, satellite operators, astronauts and others.