Re: The Y2K problem

[Bagelhole1@aol.com]

Don't panic, we're watching out for you. Check out these two websites:
<A HREF="http://www.thefarm.org/">farm y2k survival guide and cookbook</A>
and <A HREF="http://www.cassandraproject.org/">cassandra project</A>
has lots of stuff. But don't forget the best contingency of all:
self-sustainability

I am involved in creating a list of cheap and simple ideas for self-
sustainability for individuals and neighborhoods as a contingency for
y2k's worst-case scenerio. I am trying to mobilize a movement where
handy people, scientists, academics will come forward with good ideas
that can be implemented quickly, cheaply, and easily.

      In 3-6 months, I won't be surprised if everyone will be aware of
y2k and its serious danger possibilities. Panic could be the order of
the day if there are no real contingencies happening. I have been
involved in the internet around this issue since July, and I feel
there will be no substantial contingency prep in place, only some
stockpiling of goods on an indiv. basis. If this list could be created
by then, the panic could be alleviated, and many able bodies might be
willing to make the effort for sustainable implementation... if the
ideas are there for them.

     So, you see, I'm talking about short-term sustainability, for
this contingency, later we can deal with long-term sustainable
practices. These ideas are not necessarily in a book, but can be
culled from those who have lots of experience and engineering
know-how. Things that can be constructed out of found scrap. Here is
one example that I have.

Vertical gardening: Make a column out of chickenwire and tarpaper or
cardboard about 3 1/2 feet high, 14 inches diameter. Hold a 4 inches
diameter pipe in center and fill with sand and stones (for watering),
fill the rest of the area with good soil. Remove the pipe. Cut 3
inches slits around the outside thru the wire and paper in a spiral
pattern. Insert seedlings in slits (40-60). Can be used on sidewalks,
balconies, roofs. Sizes are arbitrary. 4 or 5 should feed a family
plenty of vegetables, plant about 2 weeks apart to keep a steady
harvest.

Local govts. should be asked to bring grains from the silos across
America where they often rot every year and store them in accessible
places for neighborhoods in your city.

co-reliantly,
Tom Osher
San Francisco