Some time ago, a dear friend lent me a book called “Collapsing Consciously: Transformative Truths for Turbulent Times” by Carolyn Baker. It details solutions for living graciously during, and after, the inevitable collapse of industrial society.

Now, lest anyone think that I’m becoming one of those “The End Is Nigh” sign-waving nutbars that we see standing on street corners spouting Doomsday epithets. Do I believe that the world is going to end as depicted in the Book of Revelations in the Holy Bible, “….struck by deadly plagues, famine, earthquakes; the sky will turn dark, and oceans will turn to blood.”, and suffer penance at the hands of the Four Horsemen: Pestilence, War, Famine, and Death? In a word, No.

I do believe, however, that we are already experiencing a gradual erosion (some very gradual; some more pronounced) of many things that we take for granted such as infrastructure, food security, and cheap fuel. We already see the ever-increasing cost of fuel, for some, is necessitating the choice between gas for the family wagon or food on the table.

I do not believe that this means we need to become a society of “Doomsday Preppers”, as much as TLC’s television program of the same name seems to portray. What many of these “preppers” seem to overlook when amassing their stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, bottled water, and canned foods is that in the event of some cataclysmic event, all this will eventually run out, and Then What?

There is a more elegant way of preparing for the future.

First, I strongly suggest we stop accumulating so much “stuff”. Or as a good friend put it: CSMC (Cheap Shit Made in China). Start demanding, and buying quality made, long lasting, repairable goods.

Second, look to your property. How much of it is devoted solely to ornamental plants such as roses and lawn? Think about mixing all manner of food producing trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and vines into your existing landscape, or go full on permaculture Food Forest. (See my previous blog posting: “Food Forests, Permaculture, Bees, and a side order of children”) You will be surprised how edible landscaping complements your landscaping.

Third, learn to preserve and put by the bounty of your edible landscaping. Canning, dehydrating, and fermenting are just some of the ways to preserve the fruits (and veggies, roots, nuts, etc.) of your labours. Nothing is more satisfying than opening the door of your larder and seeing row upon row of canned jars of goodness winking like jewels in the sun.

Fourth, in my opinion, the most important. Cultivate relationships. Get to know your neighbours, their kids, and even their pets. Develop deep friendships with people of like minds. Cultivate spiritual leanings of whatever variety speaks to you. These deep ties with community will be what sustains us in the Next Age, whatever it may be.