So we know what resilience kind of looks like, or at least we have a definition now. Before we get into solution mode, I want you to take a little survey that I found at Yes! Magazine (thanks to Gustoso for pointing it out).
http://www.yesmagazine.org/issues/a-resilient-community/how-resilient-are-you
It only takes a few minutes, and there are only 20 multiple choice questions. This questions certainly made me think and query a few of my behaviours, however I just scraped in to the upper limit with a score of 70. Rainwater tanks, a food stockpile and an independent power supply helped to raise my score, however I don’t think there was enough emphasis on growing your own food.
Let me know how you scored in a comment with areas you think you may have fallen short. It is not a competition, just a tool for seeing what areas we may need to work on. I need to work on local finances and local economy, so I will have to think about that a bit more.
Have a go, because at this early stage, there is certainly nothing to loose. We still have time.
my score is 64.
I agree with there not being enough about growing your own food. Seems I’m not so resilient but I know where I fall short and that can’t be rectified at the moment due to funds.
Hmmm, scored 65. But it’s probably about right given the questions and I’m not too worried about it. There are a couple of things that bought down my score that can be changed easily or, in my opinion, don’t really count that much in my circumstance. The jey one’s were my current job location and some other things surrounding local neighbourhood interaction and support.
But, it did throw up a few things that make you think, so that’s a good thing.
I have idly thought, on occassion, about what I would/should do in a short term or long term crisis. Should we escape to the country and stay with or near friends away from the madness. Should we stay here where we have water and (some) power, tools, garden, chooks, etc. and work with the neighbours to tough it out. On the face of it, staying put seems like a much more sensible idea. Of course, a better solution would be to work to minimise the chance of a meltdown in the first place but…
My score is 58
But I don’t technically have a permanent address at the moment but if I did I could probably answer more positively in most questions.
I scored 72……perhaps because we live in a small country town. Perhaps because we live on acreage. Perhaps because our community is our life…… who knows.
I scored a low 52. I would like to improve our involvement in the community and be energy self sufficent. We will be moving next year and hope to implement a lot more. I also need to learn to keep ap proper pantry. Maybe you have some ideas for the pantry. Thanks Emma
57. I think my main negative areas were not having an alternative source of income or power/heat.
My score was 56. I was surprised, I thought it would be lower. Few areas to work on.
Coleen
42. Eek! Interesting how ‘low impact’ apartment living seems to result in ‘low resiliance’. Although having just moved to a new city I have much to improve on by way of community involvement.
Thanks for the shout out.
scored 68 we live in a small rural town that is right into community
I scored lower than I’d like (60), but the things it highlighted are the things I’m currently working on/towards so that’s good.
I find most of these “20 questions” type surveys to be very low-value, although this one was better than most.
I just answered a “how big is your carbon footprint” survey for an organisation supported by our local council, and found it baffling. For example, our house runs completely on rainwater (no town water connection) and we handle our sewage on-site, but that didn’t come into the questions. Nor did the fact that we raise some of our own meat and buy local grass-fed beef (“eating meat increases your footprint – try having some meat-free days”).
This particular survey also recommended solutions like junking my (4-year-old) electric hot water system and buying a new solar one, and swapping my fuel-efficient car for a hybrid. I will when they stop working, but I’m not going to junk perfectly functional stuff in the meantime! Consuming more is not the solution.
wow, that was a cool exercise – I got 62, and my biggest weakness was probaby financial, followed up by alternative heat, water, and source of income. On the plus side, I’m pretty involved in the community, and with my neighbours, as well as having several close friends within a 10 minute walk.