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Getting Ready For Our Peak Oil Reality
Because the weather systems are breaking down and realigning along less predictable lines, your chances of getting hit with extreme weather is growing year by year. For example, the “Polar Vortex” that keeps hitting the eastern half of the U.S. over and over again is a result of the great HEAT hitting our actual polar region, sending that cold air further south than its supposed to go, generally speaking– even in the winter.
The back to back storms are requiring a LOT of energy to keep people warm. Heating oil prices have gone way up due to high demand, and there has been a lot of pressure on natural gas and even coal plants to keep up with what is required during these cold snaps. Shortages are an issue, but in these lean times, those with limited incomes are often faced with not being able to afford those unavoidably high heating prices.
Hoping for the best means putting off planning for the worst, and right now there are some optimistic people, and other very unfortunate people, who are being put into jeopardy.
For example THIS is something that WILL become far more common as the Decline moves forward.
nation.time.com/2014/02/05/woman-dies-in-dakotas-with-no-propane-to-heat-home/
A woman in the upper Midwest could not afford heating oil, and so she did without as temperatures plunged as low as 1 degree F below zero. She was found dead later, having frozen to death. She was poor, living on a Native American Reservation, and had no Plan B.
Which is why it pays to be prepared. I've mentioned many ideas in the past. Here are some more to consider:
10 Steps To Prepare For Contraction: www.smartplanet.com/blog/take/10-ways-to-get-ready-for-the-end-of-oil/1189
#1: Try to reduce your fuel usage however you can.
Some of this guy's suggestions are far too expensive for most of us. He suggest alternative energy systems when possible. However, I think some simple changes can help a LOT to start. Replace your SUB with a small, fuel-efficient economy car– for those on a limited budget, this is one of the smartest things you can do. Research before buying a used vehicle and try to get the most bang for your buck. Also a good idea? BICYCLES! In a pinch (say a fuel emergency where almost no one is driving) you can ride them down regular streets. During mild weather, a great way to get around– check into cargo bikes so you can shop and run errands.
#2: Reduce your overall energy consumption.
Also use less electricity, and insulate all those nooks and crannies to make heating and cooling your home more efficient and less wasteful. This is a big one because though its an extra when you have money, when you can't afford heating or cooling bills– it becomes crucial. Lots of ways to do this on very little money. Also, next time you replace your fridge, air conditioner, or furnace– its worth it to spend a little more to get the most energy efficient possible. Those 3 things eat up most of your 'juice' are the bulk of your electric bill expenses. Also: Reduce, reuse, recycle– and save money.
#3: Make your own energy.
The author suggest solar power, but I think wind and water turbines are the cheaper and easier investment. Got wind? Got moving water? Think about exploiting that to charge an array of car batteries which can then be used to run various small electric systems. (Ideal for a Tiny House or camper situation.) But if you're lucky enough to be able to afford to build passive solar (greenhouses, or solariums which are glass rooms attached to the south side of a home with stone or brick flooring that is heated by the sun, releasing that heat by night) or solar panels, by all means do so!
#4: Grow some of your own food.
The author mentions, and I can personally confirm, that gardening takes hands-on experience. Every climate, every soil, every situation, is different and requires adaptable reproaches to find what works best. Its good, but not exhausting, exercise, and the rewards you reap are healthier food. There is also food preservation (that doesn't require freezing or refrigeration) to learn– canning, pickling, drying, etc. That takes some practice to master as well. It means learning how to do organic gardening without chemicals. There is also seed saving, and things like composting and worm bins to consider and implement. Another thing to consider: water catchment systems and containers.
#5: Learn some basic skills.
Things like cooking from scratch, chopping and seasoning firewood, fire starting/building/maintaining, butchering livestock or hunted prey for meat, repair, woodworking, sewing and knitting, making homemade wines, beers, and liqueurs (alcohol will NEVER go out of style), making homemade remedies, beekeeping– the list goes on. Find some things you enjoy and learn how to do them well, basically.
#6: Build up tools and a do-it-yourself and general knowledge library.
This requires more storage than we have now, personally– but if we buy this place it WILL happen. The books need to be paper books that need no powersource to read, and the tools should all be hand tools or be able to run off a wind or water turbine system.
#7: Join your community.
Guns and ammo only last so long– then you gotta find a way to live. Neighbors helping neighbors is how humans have survived for tens of thousands of years, and that dynamic will continue in one form or another. Start by meeting all your neighbors on every side of yourself (we did it!) Host a street party, or a barbeque and invite neighbors over. Say hi with a jar of homemade salsa or preserves (that really opens people up.) Consider finding others of like mind who are not neighbors who are also into gardening, or livestock raising, or any one of those skill-based hobbies mentioned above.
#8: If necessary, reconcile with your family.
Yipes! I get it– I do. But for some of us, crazy support is NOT better than no support at all. For those of you like me who have no family you can count on, start making your own. I don't mean just producing children, either. I mean finding other people who ALSO have no family support and become your own extended family that way. (Yes, we've been working on this too.)
#9: Build savings and eliminate debt.
Crucial!! You can lose everything due to debt, have next to no options due to debt, and let's not forget that debtors going to jail is making a comeback and the trend is expanding. Savings, on the other hand– are always good for a rainy day.
#10: Get into shape.
Like, DUH. Less energy means you'll need to do a lot more yourself– and anyway, it'll help reduce dependence upon medical help.
Source: http://lucretiasheart.livejournal.com/1012660.html
