How To Prepare For a Future of Resource Scarcity
By Timothy Gamble (2008)
This is a general summary of the basic advice advice I give
anyone concerned with potential disasters such as peak oil, environmental problems, or economic and political collapse.
1. Educate yourself on the potential problems our society is facing. Read Patrick Moore's essay Environmentalism for the 21st Century
(opens as a .pdf) to get an overview of the real environmental and
resource challenges faced by our civilization. Read Richard Maybury's
book Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? to gain a better understanding of our economic problems.
2. Reduce your home energy usage as much as possible.
Turn off lights, TVs and electronics whenever you leave a room.
Remember to unplug your various chargers (cell phone, I-Pod, etc.) when
not in use. Set your thermostat to conserve energy. Switch from
incandescent lighting to LED lighting. Replace old appliances with new,
energy-efficient models. Super-insulate your house. Install energy
efficient windows. Consider heating with a modern wood stove. Consider
a passive solar system for your home.
You may be interested in my article Prepare for an Unreliable Power Grid and Higher Energy Prices .
3. Reduce your use of fuel for transportation. Make sure your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and the engine is well-maintained (tune-ups & oil changes) to maximize mileage. Drive less by walking, car pooling, using public transportation, and planning & combining trips. Replace your old vehicle with a newer one that gets better mileage. If you have a long commute to work, consider moving closer to your job or finding a new job closer to home.
You may be interested in my article Prepare for an Unreliable Power Grid and Higher Energy Prices .
3. Reduce your use of fuel for transportation. Make sure your vehicle’s tires are properly inflated and the engine is well-maintained (tune-ups & oil changes) to maximize mileage. Drive less by walking, car pooling, using public transportation, and planning & combining trips. Replace your old vehicle with a newer one that gets better mileage. If you have a long commute to work, consider moving closer to your job or finding a new job closer to home.
4. Get out of debt. “It
will not be a good time to owe large amounts of money to a bank. Take a
look at your situation, to what extent do you live on credit? If you
have a large house could you make do with a smaller one, and reduce your
repayments? Make getting out of debt a family priority and use it as an
opportunity to simplify your lifestyle.” –Rob Hopkins in Permaculture Magazine.
I consider getting out of debt to be a very important, yet often overlooked, area of preparedness and survival. My article Prepping 101: Finances - Get Back to Basics is full of tips and information on how to eliminate debt.
I consider getting out of debt to be a very important, yet often overlooked, area of preparedness and survival. My article Prepping 101: Finances - Get Back to Basics is full of tips and information on how to eliminate debt.
5. Raise at least some of your own food.
We need a modern victory garden movement. Look
up articles and books on lasagna gardening, forest gardening and
container gardening for ideas on how to grow your own food. Plant fruit
& nut trees and berry bushes. Urban dwellers should look into
rooftop gardening or joining a community garden or food co-op. Steve
Solomon's book Gardening When It Counts is a good place to start for gardening advice.
6. Reduce your personal consumption of everything.
Adopt a simpler lifestyle. Live well within your means. Be a saver,
not a consumer. If you had to, could you support yourself and your
family on half your present income? You may have to some day, so start
making the lifestyle changes now.
7. Be a life-long learner.
Improve your job skills. Learn about personal finance. Study
permaculture. Learn about the ecology and natural history of your
region. Learn useful skills such as auto mechanics, carpentry and home
repair. Learn first aid and CPR. Learn to sew, and to preserve food.
Learn how to save seeds. Learn how to hunt, fish and forage for wild
foods. Learn the skills your grandparents had.
8. Reconnect to the natural world.
Spend time in nature. Take up outdoor hobbies such as gardening,
hiking, fishing, camping and bird watching. Learn the names of trees,
wildflowers and “weeds” native to your area. Learn what kinds of soils
are in your region. Learn where your water comes from. Visit nearby
parks and wildlife refuges. Visit your local natural history museum or
botanical gardens. Learn the names of the birds and butterflies common
to your backyard.
9. Be a part of your community.
Join a local church or synagogue. Meet your neighbors. Participate
in a community watch program. Volunteer with a local museum or
environmental group. Support your local farmers’ market. Whenever
possible, shop at locally-owned businesses instead of the big box
stores. Attend the meetings of your city council, zoning boards and
other local government organizations. Let your voice be heard!
10. Get healthy.
If you smoke or abuse drugs or alcohol – stop! Adopt a more plant
based diet such as a traditional Mediterranean diet, or even become a
vegetarian. Eat a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs.
Exercise will help you lose weight, lower your blood pressure &
cholesterol, control blood sugar and get fit. Walking, bike riding and
swimming are three cheap & easy ways to get more exercise. Getting
enough deep sleep is an often overlooked yet very important ingredient
to good health.
11. Conserve water.
Install low-flow showerheads and faucets in your home. Learn about
xeriscaping. Mulch your garden and flower beds to help retain moisture.
Plant trees. Consider installing dry composting toilets in your home.
Use rainwater catchment techniques to provide water for your garden or
to wash your car. Learn how to purify rainwater for human consumption.
DON’T EVER THROW GARBAGE OR POUR CHEMICALS INTO A STREAM, RIVER OR LAKE. Report to the authorities anyone you see doing so.
DON’T EVER THROW GARBAGE OR POUR CHEMICALS INTO A STREAM, RIVER OR LAKE. Report to the authorities anyone you see doing so.
12. Consider where you live.
Most people end up living near where they or their spouse grew up, or
perhaps to be near a particular job. But you might be better off
relocating. Actively consider where you live: Is the community you
live in really the best place for you and your family? Will it still be
the best place for you in ten years? Things
to consider: crime, pollution, taxes, educational opportunities,
economic opportunities, economic diversity, climate, rainfall, nearby
resources, cohesiveness of the community, style of the local government,
availability of public transportation and farmers markets.
13. Keep stores of food, water & supplies.
Today,
we run out to the markets whenever we need something. We have a
just-in-time supply system, so we don't need to store things for future
use. But the slightest problem can lead to a system-wide disaster. We
need to re-learn the art of storing necessities in case of emergencies.
Things
to store include food, water, medicine, vitamins and personal hygiene
products, as well as other useful items such as batteries, sewing
supplies, first aid supplies, duct tape, matches, candles, lamp oil,
etc. If you were cut off from buying things for several weeks, or even a
month or more, what would you run out of? Figure out ways to store
those things.
14. Restore nature.
Plant trees. Clean up local lakes and streams. Rebuild soils through
composting and vermiculture. Participate in pollinator conservation
efforts. Practice organic gardening and lawn care. Eliminate your lawn
entirely. Participate in the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat program.
15. Don’t dwell on the negatives. Be a hopeful realist. It is important to understand the problems we face. Just don’t obsess over them. Instead, start working towards solutions. Acting to make positive changes, even small ones, will increase your confidence and encourage yourself, your family and your friends.
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