There is no doubt that the climate of our planet is changing fast, right now
Nobody really knows the full story on what will happen with our planet’s weather, and what is causing it is a combination of things, only some of which humans have any role in. We cannot afford to waste time arguing about. The smart thing to do is get ready NOW, for a number of possible scenarios, some more extreme than others. There are some very respected scientists who believe that global warming will ultimately produce another ice age. The reason for this is that the melting ice will change the salinity and temperature of the ocean in critical areas that affect the warming ocean currents.
Wherever you happen to live, consider that the weather may change radically in the next 5 to 15 years. It could get much drier, or colder. Or, it could get hot, or full of dust. People who live in areas that are almost totally flat are extremely vulnerable to high winds. Mountains can experience landslides and violent weather. It’s better to prepare for many possibilities.
It’s very likely that most people living today will experience a power outage at some time. This is one situation that can be prepared for in advance. Get proper equipment like solar chargers, generators, batteries, windmills, water pumps, etc.
This period that we are in, crossing the 2012 threshold, is very complicated and we do not know what will happen in the future. However, we do know what has recently happened ( tsunami, hurricane Katrina, earthquakes, etc ). There are many possible scenarios, some of which nobody could possibly prepare for.
One thing that is very common and likely are large power outages.
These are common because there are so many ways for our power supplies to be interrupted. Power outages can come from wind and storms, earthquakes, floods, cyber terrorism, and just plain overloading ( very common ). I believe all people should prepare themselves for serious short and long term power outages.
Power outages create problems that many people don’t think about much. Aircraft navigation beacons and airport lights would be out. Freezers holding huge amounts of food in storage would fail. Some water and fuel pumps would not work. The internet would be profoundly affected, possibly damaged beyond repair. Computerized records could fail.
Some things to get:
All kinds of solar charging units. You can get some really good stuff these days, from small units that can power laptops and other small devices, to much larger solar power units that can power a cabin or small house. Many of the popular electronic devices today run on 3 t0 18 volts D.C. ( direct current ). In an emergency, small chargers can keep many of these tools working.
Generators There are generators that run on gasoline, others run on propane or natural gas, and still others that can run on both, or on diesel ( biodiesel ). A good sized electric generator can power quite a few lights, a water pump, and a bunch of smaller electrical devices. When all is well and the power is on, we often have way more electrical gadgets running than we really need. In a crisis, you’ll learn what REALLY is necessary.
Fuel – for generators and other needs.Also, propane tanks and kerosene can come in really handy, as well as simple firewood. A wood fire or wood stove can be used to cook, sterilize water, heat water for bathing.
Batteries -- all kinds of batteries can be helpful if we lose the electric grid. Batteries and be combined in ways that add up volts or amps. Many types of rechargeable batteries exist, and chargers that go with them. Get chargers to, of course.
Flashlights - Light, can’t get enough of it. It really comes in handy…. Get lighters, too, any kind of lighter will be useful, and the more the better.
Electrical tools -Today you can by a whole range of battery powered tools. These can be recharged by generators and portable solar chargers. You will need some electrical testing equipment, too, like volt / ohm meters, voltage regulators, wires, clips, capacitors, etc. Get a full range of electrical tools, pliers, cable splitters, screwdrivers, etc.
Portable lights, and LED lights. LED lights use much less power, don’t have a breakable filament, last much longer, and produce less heat. Stock up on lighting. Small clip lights, low voltage lights, etc.
Remember alternative ways to generate power locally. It is not very difficult to build a windmill power supply, or small scale hydroelectric. Wind and water can turn a simple car generator, and using a car voltage regulator, or a more powerful one, you can produce electricity.
Collect books and articles that have instructions for setting up small power supplies, fix equipment, etc. It may become necessary in some areas to rebuild a grid, or set up a small regional system. Print out stuff from online in case the internet goes down.
Good extension cords — generators are placed outside usually, so you need thick gauge extension cords, 50 feet or more might be needed. There is a type of cord that has a special rubber that stays flexible in very cold weather.
Warm clothing ( cold climates ). Without a power grid it will be colder in most homes.
FOOD – dried, canned, smoked and sealed for long shelf life. Also, big containers of staples like rice, grains, sugar, salt, coffee, tea. Today you can buy all kinds of good products that are designed for long shelf life.
People individually and in small groups will make a huge difference in the years ahead.
Here are some things we can all do, NOW, that could save lives, our own, and others. Keep an open mind… there are many possible scenarios.
Have a PLAN In fact, have a plan A, B, C, and D. Whatever happens will be a surprise. Be prepared. If you need to go north, have a north plan. Perhaps you will want to find loved ones, but think of your survival first, and those nearby. We will need friends and company to survive. You may want to go to higher ground, or to warmer latitudes, so consider how you would get there and what you may need. Make lists of items.
Know where you are located in relationship to the following:
Large caves, shelters, food and fuel supplies, major highways and roads, airports. I believe there’s a good chance that in the years ahead, many people will have to move. Some won’t, of course, because they already live in areas that will be okay. So, we will need appropriate vehicles for both passengers and supplies. Taking shelter underground may become necessary for awhile.
Get some basic radio equipment. This could be small walkie talkies, AM radios, CB radios, and short wa ve radios. It’s possible to charge up a small radio with a solar cell or small generator. Small 2-way radios can come in real handy, if we lose the internet, phones, satellites.
Gather alternative energy equipment.We could lose our power grid, even if it’s just for days or months. You can now buy some pretty cool stuff to enable you to charge most small electric devices, even power lights, etc. We can get electricity from wind, water-powered generators, solar cells, etc. Having electricity in an emergency will save lives and allow far more comfort. Some generators can use
Gather some basic medical supplies. Anything and everything medical will be helpful. And gather some medical books, emergency instructions, anything that could help. Even common medicines like antibiotics and pain relievers will be useful. Anyone who is knowledgeable about medicine will know what to get.
Gather all the items you may have relating to camping, outdoor living. Things like small stoves, tents, sleeping bags can save lives. In the United States, there is lots of that kind of equipment just sitting in storage.
Gather various kinds of navigation equipment. If power goes out, or satellites, or the earth shifts on it’s axis, OR the magnetic poles switch, we’ll need to know how to get around. Besides magnetic compasses, get some sidereal ( celestial ) navigation tools like sextants. Collect maps, too. If the terrain changes because of a pole shift, some landmarks will still remain, such as mountain peaks, bodies of water, etc. Those will be on regional maps.
Gather extra clothing to cope with weather options. You may need to pack fast, and the climate where you live may change very fast. If you gather too many clothes don’t worry. Someone else might need them.
FOOD
Obviously, food will be imp0rtant. That doesn’t mean we all need to have a huge pantry full. Some foods can be stored for a long time, and those should be gathered. Canned goods, flour, sugar, dried fruit and nuts, dried meat, grains, etc. In case of smaller events, food will likely be available, just not convenient, and we won’t get a lot of fresh stuff. However, if there is a global event, a lot of stores will be abandoned. People will of course go grab what’s there. Sensible people will work together and distribute supplies.
Take care of your health. Need more be said? Being healthy will improve all kinds of things, like your odds of survival.
Here are some observations and deductions, based on what’s known.
No matter what happens in the cosmos, divined by Nostradamus, or predicted by the Mayans, the events listed here can EASILY happen, have recently happened somewhere in the world, or could be happening now as you read this. It will not take an asteroid hit or pole shift to disrupt our world civilization permanently. The events listed here can affect millions of people, and cause inestimable damage, sometimes permanent damage.
Note: There are two announcements that may come soon that will change our entire civilization. If either one occurs, it will be incredible.
The first one is about extraterrestrial presence on our planet, and the beings ( many ) that assist us. There is a lot of pressure now in our USA congress, and in quite a few other countries, that people need to be told. This will shock many, and vastly transform our culture, religion, and more.
The second announcement that may come, and could be related to the first announcement, is regarding energy use. There are a number of methods that can be used, new technology, that will drastically reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. This will change the entire economic system on the planet.
Transforming events that are very likely.
1. Large scale power outages:our culture is extremely dependent on electricity and our appetite for it is growing astronomically. At the same time, our systems are overloaded, generating plants take time to build. Power outages are common in some parts of the world. Try for a moment to imagine what you would do if you didn’t have electricity for a month, or if you had to use solar cells and generators to supply your own power. Our financial transactions depend on electricity.
2. Fuel shortage.There’s a lot of oil flowing around the world. Problem is, how much does it cost and can it be delivered? Are the refineries working ( electricity, remember )? In many parts of the world fuel shortages are common right now. We don’t have to run of oil to have a crisis. Interrupted distribution of oil and fuel would be enough to cause chaos and a rapid decline of transportation.
3. Communication or weather satellites get knocked out by a solar flare. This is a real problem and physicists are very worried about it. In 1947 and 1958 solar flares disturbed radio transmissions worldwide. At those times we had no satellites that we completely depended on. Now, it’s a very different story. If some of these satellites get knocked out of commission, it will result in tremendous disruption. Modern satellites are built to handle a certain amount of cosmic radiation. However, what COULD happen from the sun, an enormous solar storm, could actually knock out many, or ALL, of the satellites almost instantly. It would be like turning the the lights out; modern civilization would come to a screeching halt.
The sun has been exceptionally quiet lately, few sunspots. But, the next maximum is predicted to be as large, or greater, than what happened in 1958, and it will peak in the next few years. If for some reason the sun does NOT emerge from it’s quiet phase, it could signal a sharp turn to a COLD period on earth, such as the so-called “little ice age” from around 1600 to 1800 ( roughly ). As of October 25, 2009, some solar flare activity has started the new cycle.
4. Total climate change that affects the whole earth. This is something that’s actually happening right now, slowly. We don’t need a solar storm or asteroid hit to cause complete climate change. It’s already going on. Polar melting, droughts, storms, fires, floods….. they continue to happen now on a large scale, and because our vision is narrow, many people fail to see what’s actually happening. We cannot stop this process. It’s on too large a scale, and our societies are not able to adapt fast enough because of political and religious points of view. Even if everyone acted all at once, it’s too late, and our efforts are small, compared to the effects of the sun and other cosmic phenomena.
5. Economic collapse in a manner beyond our imagination. As climate changes, food production must adapt, and that is not easy. Standard economic models and compensation policies will not work. Many people will have to move, find different food sources, change crops, or do without some kinds of foods for awhile. In some areas of the world this is already happening. Since we are all linked to some degree by a global economy, this will have a ripple effect. People’s values will change. They will stop buying what they don’t need ( discretionary consumer spending ), and buy things like food, tools, equipment. Companies and jobs that depend on a steady stream of buyers for junk will end.
What good is money going to do, if it becomes irrelevant ? Food, tools, skills, lumber, vehicles, knowledge, equipment…….. those are what will be valuable. We sure won’t need knick-knacks. Places that degenerate into looting will not survive. People who band together will thrive.
“The Big One” - The future of the San Andreas Fault, book. Another massive quake is coming, just a matter of time.
