SURVIVING GLOBAL POLYCRISIS
Polycrisis: the simultaneous occurrence of several catastrophic events.
- Collins English Dictionary
Scientists sometimes refer to this as the “6th Great Extinction.” Politicians like to call it “Cascading Crises.” We will call it what it is the simultaneous occurrence of several catastrophic events.
So what would this look like in our lifetime?
Let’s start with the environment. More frequent and more violent global weather occurrences. Habitat loss. Loss of pollinators. Rising sea levels. Drought. Increase in high temperatures. Loss of fresh water. Pollution. Pandemics. Famine. Take your pick. Mother earth is breaking. The evidence is all around us.
There is the current global geopolitical situation. Russia vs Nato. China vs. Taiwan / USA / Japan. North Korea vs South Korea / USA / Japan. Civil and political unrest in Peru, Venezuela, Mexico. Central Africa, North Africa, East Africa. Syria and the Middle East. India Pakistan. Take your pick. There is no shortage of global war, strife, and tension. When will it all break open? Will it go nuclear this time?
Financial crises….global recession, skyrocketing inflation, supply chain disruption, economic depression. Collapse of the global banking systems. All are possible as we move into the second half of this century. Look at Argentina.
The reality is that the coming years bring with them more uncertainty than at any other time in our modern history. The culmination of multiply crisis events happening simultaneously is real. We feel it is simply a matter of time before something breaks and the whole global system comes down. Down in a way we have not seen since the second World War.
So as survivalists how do we prepare for the coming polycrisis? To be brutally honest, depending on how the events of the future unfold, there really is not much we can do to stop the inevitable. We can however increase our odds of being one of the many survivors. Below are a list of things you can and should do now to prepare for uncertainty in the coming months and years.
Financial Prep: Start to think of a world without money, assets, investments, precious metals, collectibles. Start thinking of a world where trade and barter replace money and capital. Hard skills like gun smithing, farming, mechanics, medic, security, hunting, trapping, midwifery, animal husbandry, herbologists, and construction to name but a few. Knowledge labour will become the currency of the future post collapse. Learn these skills now.
Many also view items of trade to be of significant importance in a future without money. What comes to mind? Ammo, alcohol, drugs, medical supplies, food, water, sex, medications, animals, people (more on this below), fire, clothing, tools, fuel, weapons, knives, traps, fishing equipment, basically any manufactured item will hold value in a world without manufacturing. Stock piling certain stores of items now will help ensure a certain amount of wealth in a world gone dark. Build a food reserve. Collect tools. Build a fishing kit. Stockpile ammunition, weapons. Think of what you would need to survive in your environment, now double, triple, or quadruple your supplies of these items. Barter will be the commerce of the future. Keep your supplies secret.
Health: Post collapse will mean no more trips to the dentist, family doctor, or local pharmacy. Hospitals will stop functioning. Medical supplies will slowly disappear. Pharmaceuticals will stop being manufactured. Glasses will not be made anymore. Basically all of the health services you have access to now will be gone in a future world gone sideways. This is the number one reason you need to invest in your health now. Like right now. Get your teeth fixed. Loos weight. Get fit. Keep extra pairs of your prescription glasses. Build up your family medical supplies, and learn how to use them by seeking out medical training now. The stronger, fitter, and healthier you are now only increase your odds of surviving in a world gone to shit. Remember, only the strong survive in nature.
Shelter and location: Consider where you are living right now. How do you think your community will handle a societal breakdown. No food, no water, no services. In a city this will mean chaos. In the country it will mean visitors from the cities as people flee that aforementioned chaos. How well will your current shelter support you and your family. Is it secure? Is it remote? Is it defendable? Can it sustain you in a grid down world? Is it easily reached by the masses? Does it offer you east escape? Are you living in the path of danger (ocean front / in a hurricane path /downtown big city / beside military installations / so on and so forth). Take a long hard look at where you are living. Address the advantages and disadvantages now and plan for possible future conflict / weather events. Consider moving if you do not feel your current residence offers you the security you feel you will need in a world gone crazy. I know that we all currently need to work, kids need to go to school / socialize, and that we all need family and community. That said, much of this can be overcome by modern technology - remote working / home schooling / on-line learning. Consier involving your extended family in any relocation plans you may have. Remember, strength in numbers and who better than your family to trust when SHTF.
Training: Consider upgrading your personal skills now, before you need them. Learn medical skills. Learn to handle and care for firearms. Practice your marksmanship. Learn about the natural world around you; what plants to eat, use for alternative medicine. Learn to hunt, and then practice it. Learn to fish, and trap. Get fit, building your fitness around the four core principles of Strength, Endurance, Speed, and Mobility. Learn a martial art like Brazilian JU Jitsu, or Krav Maga. Become proficient with a knife, pistol, rifle and shotgun. Practice your bushcraft. Become comfortable living outdoors in all seasons. Invite your family to join you in the training you undertake.
The future holds so much uncertainty and there are many differnt crises that are and will continue to happen all around the world. It is simply a matter of time before the volume of these crises reaches a state of polycrisis pushing the world’s inhabitants to the brink. Prepare now to survive tomorrow.
Northern Survivalist
Cover Photo: Peter Herrmann @tama66