Preparedness for when

Perplexed_Pineapple

RAS wrote: »

And add this report as well http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2013/jul/06/water-supplies-shrinking-threat-to-food

RAS, that's a very scary report. We tend not to think of water being a problem in this part of the world but we do rely on imported grain when harvests are poor (as they are expected to be this year) so effectively water shortages in the largest grain producing countries affect us all. Very few countries on Earth are entirely and reliably self-sufficient through their own agriculture alone, and we're certainly not one of them,

thriftwizard

I've twice been to areas where they've used up all the groundwater and it's eery. Acre after acre of derelict glasshouses & tattered polytunnels, dusty decaying plastic pennants streaming around skeletal branches in the wind. Desperately poor people living in trailers & tumbledown fincas & eking out a living, knowing they're "losers" in the eyes of the world although it's chance (or ill-advised EC grants or State encouragement) that put them there. Pinning all their hopes on equally daft & temporary "golf communities" or manmade "waterside" property schemes, built on "canals" & "lakesides" that would have been far better used to take water (subsurface) to plants than make developers rich...

But I've also been to a very inspiring place where many years ago, a far-sighted person saw what was happening, bought up dirt-cheap decayed agricultural land & mountainside, and planted a forest that has since become self-sustaining. The interesting thing it that to some extent, it has created its own beneficial climate; dew falls there even when the surrounding area has been drought-stricken for months. And the work of Wangari Maathai in Kenya is bearing fruit (quite literally in some cases) & re-greening semi-desert too. We can't rebuild the aquifers but we could, given the will & dedication, restore the ground cover we removed for our own purposes & create more favourable conditions for all life.

[Deleted User]

THRIFTWIZARD thanks for a very inspirational post, interesting reading to say the least. I think you're spot on with what could be done to improve this poor old planet, what is dubious is 'the will' of the people. It isn't that it's not known that you could make good devastated areas, but I think people don't make the link that by doing so it would in the future give them a better life. It's too remote and folks these days seem to expect an instant and visible result and when it takes years to see an improvement, even a very small one, loose interest or just wouldn't bother in the first place. I am of the opinion that we could make quite a big change even in this country if everyone who had the space would plant a fruit tree. There are more and more trees being felled here, and no replacements being put in as it's just easier to pave the garden or put in decking, but if we all planted a fruit tree, even if we didn't use the fruit but gave it to a village collective for distribution we would be tieing up carbon dioxide, making oxygen and feeding some of the nation, not rocket science is it? Cheers Lyn xxx.

ginnyknit

Thriftwizard - beautiful post. :T I think these adverts on tv asking for money should show what has been achieved by donations ie re-greening and creating water supplies that feed crops and people. I want to know that all the money I have donated over the years has made a difference, much more positive. Re-education is the key, isnt it? You know the old adage 'give the man a fish etc'

Maybe if their was an incentive scheme for people in the UK to get them to grow things and re-cycle it would help. Very few people round here use the re-cycling bins and they should be convinced by the carrot and the stick method that it has to be done. I get bored with the re-cycling, you put one lot of stuff in the appropriate bins, walk back in the kitchen and magically more stuff appears :mad: but I still carry on because its important.

RAS

thriftwizard wrote: »

But I've also been to a very inspiring place where many years ago, a far-sighted person saw what was happening, bought up dirt-cheap decayed agricultural land & mountainside, and planted a forest that has since become self-sustaining. The interesting thing it that to some extent, it has created its own beneficial climate; dew falls there even when the surrounding area has been drought-stricken for months. And the work of Wangari Maathai in Kenya is bearing fruit (quite literally in some cases) & re-greening semi-desert too. We can't rebuild the aquifers but we could, given the will & dedication, restore the ground cover we removed for our own purposes & create more favourable conditions for all life.

thriftwizard

Wangari Maathai is an amazing woman. This is one of the men who inspires me and gives me hope http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzfWGDCi9qc

The basics are that Europeans introduced temperature land managment techniques into seasonal rain lands and wrecked them, across Africa and the Americas in particular.

Where there are dry seasons, livestock (wild or introduced) are essential to decomposition processes that are achieved by dampness in temperate climates. And it is essential to keep the livestock moving as if they were a a wild herd under predator pressures.

I was first alerted to Savory by an article in the Permaculture mag by a couple who regenerated old terraces in Spain when their standard permaculture techniques failed. Except that they actually and essential permit tool - observation - to realise that the only thing that was really working was the perennial grasses on one terrace.

BessieBooBoo

MrsLurcherwalker wrote: »

BBB we are over 30degrees here at the moment, and it looks set to continue that way for a couple of weeks ahead, I'd take out the scarves for the IOW if I were you!!! I'll give you an update on Friday so you can unpack anything you don't need, buy suncream!!! Cheers Lyn xxx.

Hello Mrs LW

Thank you! I can't believe we will be actually camping in dry weather!

The list is rapidly reducing - and yes, despite thinking I might jinx things I have brought sun cream!!

I'd get Bessie to wave a paw, but, she's snoring. Again...

Happy, happy, happy, joy, joy, joy!

BBB

metalswan

I love this thread, read as often as I can. It's taught me a lot and the preppings are going swimmingly! Finally think hubby is mostly on board after a couple of minor inconveniences demonstrated the wisdom of my ways.
We share an old (prob victorian) water main with ten other houses. Was suitable when the houses were built, but now with washers, dw, central heating etc water pressure is usually hit and miss to say the least. We regulary turn on the tap to find it's clearly not our turn today lol. When I can just pull a bottle out of stores for hubby to have his coffee he sees the benefit!

For all who have a portable gas stove and the small gas bottles, just thought i would share what I discovered. We went camping (don't ask haha) in early April when it was still rather chilly at night (understatement of the year!!!) When trying to make a late evening cuppa and a hot water bottle to cuddle in bed we found the gas bottles don't work below about 8 degrees! The tiny writing on the back suggests 5 degrees on mine but wind chill probably plays a part.
The gas pressure just dwindles away to next to nothing leaving a tiny ineffective flame. After waiting 20 min for a couple of cupfulls to boil I had a look at the bottle. Icy cold to the touch and covered in condensation. Shaking the bottle showed it was almost full. Managed to boil the water by faffing around a lot and using two bottles in rotation which kept being tucked into my coat to warm a little before swapping over as the flame died on the cold bottle.

Just thought it was important to share as if people (including me) are relying on a back up emergency cuppa and hot food solution it's not a great time to find out it has issues!

Hope this is helpful to someone. xxx

vanoonoo

thanks metal swan - those cannisters are part of my backup so that's really good to know thank you!

hello preppers, hope all is well in your respective worlds

x

pineapple

Owing to the dog's bronchial problems we are largely confined to barracks in this weather and only emerge when the sun is down - like creatures of the night. Yes it's me on the lane at 1am in my summer gear. But today I've trimmed a rampant 'mile a minute' and indulged in a spot of furtling (the horticultural variety ).

RAS

metalswan wrote: »

For all who have a portable gas stove and the small gas bottles, just thought i would share what I discovered. We went camping (don't ask haha) in early April when it was still rather chilly at night (understatement of the year!!!) When trying to make a late evening cuppa and a hot water bottle to cuddle in bed we found the gas bottles don't work below about 8 degrees! The tiny writing on the back suggests 5 degrees on mine but wind chill probably plays a part.
The gas pressure just dwindles away to next to nothing leaving a tiny ineffective flame.........

Just thought it was important to share as if people (including me) are relying on a back up emergency cuppa and hot food solution it's not a great time to find out it has issues!

I have had similar problems with butane and propane canisters on cold mornings camping in April and October. I tuck a canister into the sleeping bag with me to ensure an early morning brew.