No matter what happens in the next decade, the fact of the matter is that we are all in this together.
There is no us and them.
If things go pear-shaped, as many commentators predict, then we only have each other to fall back on, and we will have to deal with many, very open and difficult emotions. I wrote about the 7 stages of change mid last year, and it has been a very popular post. Many people want to understand how to cope.
We will also need people like The Peak Shrink, aka Kathy McMahon, to help us understand the emotions that we are going to have to deal with WTSHTF. It is not going to be pretty when many wake up to less of everything, and look for someone to blame.
Anyhow, have a watch of this interview with Kathy on Peak Moment. It is enlightening and enjoyable, with a few ah-ha moments. I have felt many of the same emotions as Kathy talks about, when I discovered the truth about Peak Everything. You can read more about Kathy on her blog, Peak Oil Blues. Some of the earlier posts are very mind expanding.
What did you feel like when you discovered the impacts of Peak Oil? Did you start hoarding things, or just to feel like your mind was going to overload?
It’s been quite strange for me as I realised this was happening many years ago as a natural consequence of the use of finite resources. It certainly was not a surprise like it has been for many.
However, as my full understanding of the repercussions of this slowly unfolded I become aware of the limitations of the technology to enable us to continue on BAU and, more importantly the inability of politicians and corporations to effectively deal with the issues.
I remain both confident in local people to address the issues which will confront us and nervous about those few who will become a danger to themselves and the communities.
I definitely think we will undergo significant and painful changes and there will be many who will be unable to cope.
Fantastic film Gav and thanks for sharing. It’s given me much to think about and I feel better knowing that my freak outs and little panics are normal. I also love the idea of a 5 mile radius community.
Thank you so much for posting the video Gavin. Despite my regular watching Peak Moment I had missed that one. After watching it twice I now know just what those feelings of panic and despair were when I first started looking at Peak Oil and other climatic changes and that they were a normal part of adjusting to the challenges that are happening and those that are already here.
I did go through the “salad oil” stage – stockpiling heaps and worrying about did I have enough supplies to keep my family going? Then I realised that I didn’t need to have 25 years worth of food and toilet paper in my home. I just needed to be mindful of what I purchased and keep my original stockpile topped up and grow what I can.
Both DH and I have been doing lots of brainstorming on how we can make our house more sustainable – solar power (have that -tick), solar hot water (tick), wood burning cook stove that’s also linked to the hot water (tick) water tanks, more solar panels and a good stock pile of wood are next on the list. I have spent the last few days reassessing my garden and making lists of the fruit trees I want to plant in order to have a sustainable supply of fruit and also looking at growing more trees for fire wood and working out where extra vegetable garden beds can go in addition to what I already have. It’s the part of being prepared that helps my family feel “safer” and more “comfortable” and therefore more able to help close friends and family when they need help.
Kathy was right about us needing to be more understanding about others and more considerate to their worries and concerns – that is something I find very difficult I don’t mind admitting. I know we all react to situations differently, however if I can make significant changes to my and my families lifestyle to cope with those changes, I find it difficult (and extremely frustrating) to come to understand those who just shrug their shoulders and ignore the issues. If they come asking me for help I’m more than willing to give it – but to offer help to those who regard me as a “nut job” and think I’m strange because I choose a simpler lifestyle is another matter. It’s something I need to work on.
I’m sure in the end, after much gnashing of teeth, hair pulling, and “woe is me”, that as a human race we will pull our socks up and get on with making do with what we have. Some won’t. It’s a fact of life that it’s survival of the fittest – but at least those of us who are prepared are there to shine a little light on possible alternatives.
From another Bozo on the Bus aka Catherine