Stay calm, learn skills to survive

The turmoil in global stock market is just the latest indicator that business as usual is over.

Financial scandals, social upheaval, environmental catastrophes, pointless wars, record unemployment, government and personal debt, peak oil, peak water, peak soil – pick your choice. The unsustainable merry-go-round that is the North American way of life is coming to an end.

The sad reality is, at this late date things can’t be turned around. The bill has come due for consuming and wasting and despoiling our resources, and the national credit card is tapped out. The U.S. is headed for disaster, and if anyone thinks Canada will keep merrily chugging along when that happens, they are deluded.

But the prime minister is right – stay calm. However, also realize that it will be up to us to save ourselves and our families. The government will not be riding to the rescue when things get really bad. We should reduce our dependence on “stuff” and learn some useful skills, such as growing and preparing and preserving food. Get to know neighbours, and get plugged in to the community.

When money becomes worthless, all we have is what we know and who we know to help us survive.