"Self-sufficiency does not mean 'going back' to the acceptance of a lower standard of living. On the contrary, it is the striving for a higher standard of living, for food that is organically grown and good, for the good life in pleasant surroundings... and for the satisfaction that comes from doing difficult and intricate jobs well and successfully." John Seymour ~ Self Sufficiency 2003

Monday 4 July 2016

Prepare yourselves...


...life is going to be very different on Mother Earth.  It would appear that we have passed the point of no return, and there is no going back.

This is seriously scary stuff...


'Unprecedented': Scientists Declare Global Climate Emergency After Jet Stream Crosses Equator

http://www.rawstory.com/2016/06/unprecedented-scientists-declare-global-climate-emergency-after-jet-stream-crosses-equator/
 or if you want to watch this on YouTube:
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKasUm77D0U
Take the time to consider how this change in our weather / climate / jet stream is going to affect you, and how you, personally, can mitigate the changes to enable you to continue to grow your own produce and provide for yourselves.


I wrote this posting above before :

1) I lost my internet connection for 3 days due to vandalism
2) I discovered that there is no need to panic - jet streams moving from the northern to southern hemispere, and back are apparently "normal" (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/capital-weather-gang/wp/2016/06/30/claim-that-jet-stream-crossing-equator-is-climate-emergency-is-utter-nonsense/

But, the original article does raise a point.  Actually, a couple of points.

Climate change, is, I believe, irrefutable, and with that in mind, the more steps we all take to prepare ourselves for the difficulties that lie ahead, the better off we will be to assist those in need / without knowledge when the time comes.  Standing back and waiting for someone else to solve our problems is the normal reaction.  But, being proactive, and starting the process for ourselves - and for our children - will stand us in better stead.

What can you do I hear some of you ask?

1)  Conserve water - don't take your access to water for granted, not even if you have a crystal clear stream passing through your property.

i)  Source (if necessary) and seriously apply mulch around your plants
ii)  Collect and store whatever rainwater falls in whichever way you can
iii)  Experiment with a simple hydroponic / aquaponic system - don't let the fear of the unknown stop you from investigating this food growing avenue. Experimenting now will allow you to become more "qualified" and able to use this method confidentially in the future.  (note - we have had to make an adjustment with our hydroponic experiment - more news coming up in a future posting).

2) Adapt

i) Be prepared to change the types of crops that you normally grow - for instance consider growing different crops that are suitable for the changing weather in your area
ii) Invest in shade netting / greenhouse tunnels to assist your plants in performing / providing to their maximum ability.
iii)  If there are crops that require a certain amount of rainfall, start researching similar alternatives which will provide you with those nutrients / carbohydrates / proteins now - don't wait until TSHTF.

This charcoal cooler room reduces the outside
temperature from 30°C to 8°C
http://www.nation.co.ke/business/seedsofgold/Our-charcoal-cooler-keeps-produce-fresh-/-/2301238/2397960/-/119pv5mz/-/index.html








3 Look to the 3rd World people / underprivileged for idea's on how to cope in what will be, for you, "different" times but for them it is perfectly natural

i)  For storing food long(er) term without adding additional strain on the system / environment, their innovative ways are amazing e.g. charcoal cooler rooms for storing harvests.  Such a blooming simple idea, and it obviously works :)  And is a damn sight cheaper than (electric) refrigeration...
ii)  Learn to preserve your harvests via dehydration or canning - it's not difficult if you get yourself a reputable preserving book.  And is oh, so gratifying, to use those preserves out of season.  Plus you get the added benefit of knowing exactly what is in what you are eating and can be reassured that GMO and chemicals are not forming a hidden part of your or your family's nutritional intake.
iii)  Investigate (a.k.a. Google lol) how they manage to grow crops in their adverse climates (both extremely hot and cold) and what measures they take to ensure that they are able to harvest something / anything...

Those are just a few thoughts I wanted to share with you and they are just a few of the steps that can be taken now that will benefit you in future.

I leave you with this:


http://www.forbes.com/sites/marshallshepherd/2016/07/02/lessons-from-jet-stream-crossing-the-equator-mania/#8535b905a8c3

P.P.S.

This is what the vandals did - this little action affected at least 350 - 500 people!
The power junction box was ripped off
 the tower and the cables were
 disconnected.  I took Escom 4 days
to repair... :(

16 comments:

  1. What happened with the vandalism?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Harry - The repair is still on-going... Have been offline most of today - very frustrating trying to run a business with an internet connection down, never mind blog or keep up with friends :( Sigh.

      Delete
    2. Sorry that happened to you. That kind of thing just makes life harder on everyone.

      Delete
  2. This is worrying. I'm wondering whether to move to higher ground to be prepared for floods. In the articles I'm reading there is never mention of cutting carbon emissions by reducing driving. There are more and more big cars on the road and more and more congestion. People drive their children 30 - 40 km daily to go to a 'good' school - to learn about climate change? There are so many double standards. Someone needs to give a straight answer!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unknown - sorry you didn't leave a name. Personally, I wouldn't live anywhere near the beachfront. We're 250-odd metres above sea level and I'm concerned about that lol

      Moving to the country we have learnt to only drive to the closest town once a week (30kms) I'm trying to organize it so that we only have to go through every 10 days / 2 weeks.

      Delete
  3. Google 'Climate Engineering'. You think those weird looking zig zag clouds are natural?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Tewshooz - I will google tomorrow once I know that our internet is stable again (hopefully). I have a feeling that I will not like what I find...

      Delete
  4. I am very worried by the tendency of people to indulge in vandalism. I can understand theft, someone gets something, but vandalism is pure destruction which benefits nobody. Someone put a boot into my lovely miniature daffodils and that annoyed me far more than the loss of a cute terracotta pot with a plant in it and my little garden gate. Seriously kids, if you're bored, your parents need to give you a job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. pqsa - Vandalism is such a waste of resources / time and effort. Purely for some kids kicks. Makes me mad.

      So sad about your daffodils - they're my favourite flower.

      Yup - agree. More parental control / awareness is desperately needed!!

      Delete
  5. It's a scary time we live in, isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sue - T'is indeed - very. And what is even more frightening is that others are bothered - yet. But, when they wake up, will it be in time?

      Delete
  6. Hi Dani. I think new habits to be prepared are required. Post coming on my blog. Also see Jan's gasifier as alternative power
    Www.Facebook.com/JanRedeux and go to his profile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. SA - Definitely. Wastefulness, in all aspects, needs to be addressed by everyone - especially those of us "1st World" people. Loved the fireplace btw :)

      Delete
  7. Having lived in the same city here for now on 30+ years, I have seen a change in our weather patterns (I'm kind of a weather nerd, ha). Things are definitely not the same as they were even 10 or 15 years ago.

    It makes me nervous. We just try to live and plan and do what small part we can.

    Sucks about the vandalism. I don't know why people have to do such stuff.

    hang in there!

    ReplyDelete
  8. 1st Man - I think we all should pay more attention to the weather - and not just at holiday times lol

    Yup, vandalism is such a pointless waste of energy... And so frustrating to the people that it affects.

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for taking the time to comment - it makes my day and removes the "loneliness' of sitting at my screen blogging supposedly to myself ;) I try and reply as quickly as possible so please forgive me if sometimes my response is delayed.