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Sustainability October 7, 2016
If a scraggly wide-eyed woman holding a sign that reads, “THE END IS NEAR” is your only impression of a doomsday prepper then, well, that might be accurate. As survivalists, doomsday preppers are convinced that a worldwide catastrophe is looming around the corner. Nuclear war, economic collapse, a natural disaster or an electromagnetic pulse – no matter the cause, preppers are ready to go off-grid at any time.
Fortunately, entertainment shows like “Doomsday Preppers” on the National Geographic Channel has led to the rise of more commercial doomsday preppers. Instead of shouting about the apocalypse, they’re casually buying an extra can of cherry pie filling at the grocery store to place in a bug-out room full of 60 other cans of pie filling. But at least they’re nonchalant about it.
Whether or not you think this year’s presidential election spells out certain doom, it’s always better to be prepared in the case of an emergency. If nothing else, you’ll at least be able to sustain yourself if you come upon hard times financially. Here’s your doomsday prepper to-do list!
If you’re left in a world without supermarkets, açaí or boba, you will need to feed yourself somehow. Growing a garden in your backyard is a great way to transition into sustainable living, which is beneficial with or without a world collapse! Start with cherry tomatoes, since TIME says they’re one of the easiest plants to grow for beginners. Work your way up the gardening ladder. Once you hone your skills, you’ll be eating homegrown salads with the pros.
Whether this is the mountain retreat you always went to when you were little, a secluded spot near a lake in Colorado or just the locked shed in your backyard, a safe house is be a great resource for the doomsday prepper. If you ever find yourself on the go, your safe house could be the perfect haven where you can set your homebase.
Keep track of how much you eat in a week so you know how much you should stockpile in case of an emergency. You may not even realize how much you consume. “Wait, did I really eat 15 bags of Hot Cheetos this week?” Yes, you did. And yes, we’ve all been there. Once you know exactly how much you eat in a week, you’ll know exactly how much you need to stock up on for emergencies.
If you want to be ready to survive a global catastrophe, you’re going to have to support yourself somehow. Having a sufficient stockpile of canned goods, household supplies and other general nonperishable necessities will be a godsend in times of need. Though you might be tempted to stock up all at once, trickling a little bit into your stock each time you go to the grocery store is equally suitable.
If you missed out on the opportunity to build your own fire and pitch a tent during your youth, it’s time to learn! Boy Scout skills are extremely valuable, regardless if you believe the end is nigh. You should learn basic first aid, how to tie knots, build a shelter, identify edible plants, use a compass, navigate by the stars … you get it. Your ultimate merit badge will be survival.
If you don’t already have a meager stockpile of inherited coins, you might want to hit up eBay. If you ever need to barter for supplies, coins made of precious metals are a super efficient means of trading. Because they have inherent value no matter the state of the world, you’ll have no trouble trading if the world economy collapses and current legal tender becomes worthless.
Your neighbors could potentially be some of your greatest resources during hard times. Maybe you live near a certified nurse or a passionate botanist and you don’t even know it. It’s always better to take on a challenge with help, especially if that help knows how to suture a wound.
Though these tips obviously only scratch the surface of doomsday prepping, they’re a great start for any novice prepper. You don’t need to invest in an off-grid hidden acre of land somewhere (yet). For now, all you need is an extra tomato plant in your kitchen and a masterfully created monkey knot and you will be in business.
