I've been seeing more news articles lately about blackouts and other infrastructure issues because of climate change, specifically an increase in average temperature (e.g., Portland and Canada). What can we do to prepare ourselves and our belongings for the future?
Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
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Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#2You can try to convert you current place to live off-grid, but you mention protecting your possessions too. This makes me think that you think these disruptions will be severe, and that if you have something others don't, then they might be inclined to take it or vandalize it.
If you really think it will be that bad, then you should look into prepping.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#3You have to give context on where you live. For example if you're in the USA and not in a region susceptible to flooding/storms there is very little justification to do anything at all.
If you think the worlds going to break down then move something farther north with guaranteed access to fresh water. Michigan in the USA or start looking at Canada and stock up on guns and ammo cause if it gets that bad that's the new currency.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#4One easy step is a small generator. Like a 20-50 amp size. Easy, portable (storable) simple, test maybe twice a year.
I've also been putting battery/conditioner on my high-value electronics.
And avoiding sMaRt devices - I imagine them failing in stupid/frustrating ways with power/data connection issues.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#5I'm not into the whole prepper culture, I live in a city so if sh*t really goes down I'm loading up my touring bike and leaving.
But I do have some things that are quite cheap and easy to get. 4 big jugs of water, total of 160 liters iirc. I rotate them out every 6 months.
One crank operated radio+usb power bank+torch.
First aid kit.
~80 days of powdered meal replacement, not for prepping but because I eat it normally as a snack or quick lunch. So I tend to order 45 bags in a box each time and that means I have between 50-80 days worth at any given time. I'm still on a big box of Plenny shake but when that is up I'm thinking of trying Huel.
Water purification tablets and gas camping stove is something I had for a long time because I love camping. And a lot of other little knick knacks for camping like a knife, flint and steel, bicycle maps of the region, compass and more.
Simple solar charger for USB, enough to charge my phone in a couple of hours on a sunny day. It's actually a foldable version that I bring on bicycle tours.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#6As with (nearly) all things, there's a robust subreddit and a niche industry focused on "prep" (preparation for disaster situations). Many refer to themselves as "preppers".
https://www.reddit.com/r/preppers
Some are ready for a "HTF" (hit the fan), society-collapse events. Others, like myself, focus on the higher probability but less attention grabbing situations like multi-day power outages, supply chain disruptions, and low-cost-high-ROI investments (like buying two sets of N95 masks for the family in 2018 in the unlikely event of a pandemic).
There's lot of view points within the community as to what is best, but generally the agreement is to determine what your personal level of risk tolerance is, and invest + prep accordingly.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#7Having onsite power backups, and a plan for resilience to a multi-day outage. Battery backups (electric cars like the F150 lightning are starting to offer this as a side capability), gas generation, and an understanding of how to minimize power usage in your home to bare essentials.
Acquire air conditioning in advance. Portable units are easy to source outside of peak season. Have an "AC" room you can use to sleep/work if needed, don't try to cool the entire house. Buy a purifier if health concerns are elevated.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#8Why limit yourself to those blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
There are also some climate change derivatives like human plague, crops failing due to disease.
And similar issues can be caused by: Carrington event, vulcanic eruption, asteroids, nuclear accidents, great-power warfare, some kind of 'misinformation event'.
Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#9Having onsite power backups, and a plan for resilience to a multi-day outage. Battery backups (electric cars like the F150 lightning are starting to offer this as a side capability), gas generation, and an understanding of how to minimize power usage in your home to bare essentials. Acquire air conditioning in advance. Portable units are easy to source outside of peak season. Have an "AC" room you can use to sleep/wo…
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Re: Ask HN: How to prepare for blackouts/other disruptions caused by climate change?
#10I’m starting to look into rooftop solar for this reason. If nothing else it will decrease the load on the grid and cut down on emissions.