Climate Change Survival Checklist

Climate Change is happening right now. Expect it to cause social turmoil and impact your life soon so get ready.

Here's a list of what I consider smart things to do. Please comment at http://moreron.wordpress.com/ to add your own suggestions.

1. Head for the hills.
   a. Water will be a huge issue. The basic truth is that the farther uphill you are the fresher your water will be. Try to live upstream of cities and as close to the source as possible. Stay out of large river basins.
   b. For the northern hemisphere precipitation is increasing in mid-latitudes between 40 and 70 degrees and decreasing between the equator and 30 degrees. Mid latitudes are probably best as long as you're not in an area prone to flooding.
   c. I like the idea of living outside of town. Not so far away as to be completely isolated but far enough to have room to grow food, raise animals and preferably gather firewood.
   d. Heat causes fires. If you live outside of town, make sure there is enough defensible space to protect your house.
  
2. Get a small vehicle or a bike.
   a. Gas will become an expensive luxury and you still need transportation.

3. Do as much as you can afford to get your home energy efficient and self sufficient.
   a. If you live near a forest, install a wood burning stove.
   b. Insulate.
   c. Get energy efficient appliances. I don't think the poison light bulbs are a good idea but checking the wattage on a frig or TV before you buy makes sense.
   d. Cut back. Live in a smaller home. If you don't want to give up your McMansion, then at least only heat the rooms you use.
   e. If you can afford solar, wind or water power. Do it, but get simple systems with fewer parts that can break.
  
4. Grow as much of your own food as possible.
   a. You will have food.
   b. Less carbon emissions because less food will have to be mass produced.
   c. Less carbon emissions because less mass produced food will have to be transported.
   d. Less carbon emissions because organic farming using compost versus chemicals, binds carbon into the ground instead of into the atmosphere. If we all grow some veggies we could sequester billions of tons of Carbon.
   e. You will get some exercise.
   f. You will know what you're eating.

5. Travel less.
   a. As oil becomes more expensive we will be de-globalizing, heading for more local economies so try to establish yourself as an asset to the local community early.
  
6. Stockpile essentials without going overboard.
   a. Enough food to last a while but not so much as to cause it to expire. I suggest stocking the things you eat anyway and gaging the reserve amount by how much you use and how fast it expires.
   b. Clothes to last several years. It doesn't have to be fashionable but functional. Good boots, jackets, sweaters, pants, hats and gloves might become scarce.
   c. Keep camping equipment like propane, a heater and a stove handy.
  
7. Get a Gun.
   a. You may have to hunt for food.
   b. You may have to protect yourself.
  
Ron
http://moreron.wordpress.com