I hope y'all got a laugh from my previous post warning urbanites to stay away from Eden. Seriously:
I must admit that moving to the mountains has had serious consequences. Honestly, the minute I traded my high-status Mercedes for a practical pickup-truck, my penis immediately shrank by 50%. AND, when I bought a chainsaw so I could cut my own firewood... it almost disappeared.
Honestly ladies, the most manly men live in their Mom's basement, drink soy lattes and lease prestigious European cars.
You have been warned!
Recap
In the previous Location, Location, Location post (neoterra.us/blog/the-rational-prepper-location-location-location) I talked about avoiding Threats associated with Natural Disasters. Next, we should consider avoiding man-made Threats (Perhaps we should call these Hazards rather than Threats).
In this segment I will again show some maps (and resources) so you can visualize the Hazards.
Cities
Note that I'm not going to talk about living in cities. It's impossible to establish a self-sufficient lifestyle in any urban area (though it might be possible in the suburbs if you own enough land).
Spiraling crime, congestion, rotting infrastructure, escalating debt and crushing taxes make urban living fundamentally unsustainable. (Please note, if you have a great, high-paying job then urban life can be very enjoyable... but it isn't sustainable).
Man-Made Hazards
OK... so you have made the decision to get out of the city. There are a variety of man-made Hazards in rural America... these are primarily related to pollution or environmental degradation. Let's avoid Hazards that could impact your health or your property. These include:
- If ya don't like blue-grass, stay away
- If you're afraid of mysterious banjo music, stay away
- If ya don't like guns (lots of guns), stay away
- Chainsaws... well, just stay away.
I must admit that moving to the mountains has had serious consequences. Honestly, the minute I traded my high-status Mercedes for a practical pickup-truck, my penis immediately shrank by 50%. AND, when I bought a chainsaw so I could cut my own firewood... it almost disappeared.
Honestly ladies, the most manly men live in their Mom's basement, drink soy lattes and lease prestigious European cars.
You have been warned!
Recap
In the previous Location, Location, Location post (neoterra.us/blog/the-rational-prepper-location-location-location) I talked about avoiding Threats associated with Natural Disasters. Next, we should consider avoiding man-made Threats (Perhaps we should call these Hazards rather than Threats).
In this segment I will again show some maps (and resources) so you can visualize the Hazards.
Cities
Note that I'm not going to talk about living in cities. It's impossible to establish a self-sufficient lifestyle in any urban area (though it might be possible in the suburbs if you own enough land).
Spiraling crime, congestion, rotting infrastructure, escalating debt and crushing taxes make urban living fundamentally unsustainable. (Please note, if you have a great, high-paying job then urban life can be very enjoyable... but it isn't sustainable).
Man-Made Hazards
OK... so you have made the decision to get out of the city. There are a variety of man-made Hazards in rural America... these are primarily related to pollution or environmental degradation. Let's avoid Hazards that could impact your health or your property. These include:
- Toxic waste
- Nuclear power plants
- Strip mining / Open pit mining
- Industrial Livestock Production
Toxic Waste
The United States has made huge strides to reduce air and water pollution over the past 60 years, but there is still a lot of toxic waste buried around the country. The worst sites are the EPA Superfund sites shown on the following map. The worst Threat from these sites is polluted ground water (recall that you will need a well if you're trying to be somewhat self-sufficient).
Clearly, the highest concentration is in the industrial Northeast, the Rust-belt and on the West Coast. However, there are sites throughout the country. To search for sites in your area of interest, click the pic and go to the EPA Superfund Priorities List.
The United States has made huge strides to reduce air and water pollution over the past 60 years, but there is still a lot of toxic waste buried around the country. The worst sites are the EPA Superfund sites shown on the following map. The worst Threat from these sites is polluted ground water (recall that you will need a well if you're trying to be somewhat self-sufficient).
Clearly, the highest concentration is in the industrial Northeast, the Rust-belt and on the West Coast. However, there are sites throughout the country. To search for sites in your area of interest, click the pic and go to the EPA Superfund Priorities List.
As mentioned, the main Threat from Toxic dumps is pollution of the ground water. If pollution gets into an aquifer it can travel for miles so do your homework. Better yet, buy property in the mountains above the water table. The higher you go in a watershed, the better the water... and water is life.
Note that the EPA only lists the worst of the worst. Virtually every county in the US has a landfill site / garbage dump. Most are very well managed and follow the rules but why take a chance. If you choose to live near Mount Trashmore (with a million tons of garbage leaching into the soil) then you should resign yourself to city-water.
Note that the EPA only lists the worst of the worst. Virtually every county in the US has a landfill site / garbage dump. Most are very well managed and follow the rules but why take a chance. If you choose to live near Mount Trashmore (with a million tons of garbage leaching into the soil) then you should resign yourself to city-water.
Mount Trashmore
Nuclear Power Plants
First, let me say that I'm an advocate for nuclear power. Over the past 70 years there have been only two disastrous nuclear accidents. One was the responsibility of the the incompetent Soviets at Chernobyl. The other (Fukushima) was the responsibility of arrogant Japanese who built a plant in an earthquake zone.
First, let me say that I'm an advocate for nuclear power. Over the past 70 years there have been only two disastrous nuclear accidents. One was the responsibility of the the incompetent Soviets at Chernobyl. The other (Fukushima) was the responsibility of arrogant Japanese who built a plant in an earthquake zone.
- Sidebar: There are a few American nuclear plants located in earthquake zones... but I already told you avoid earthquake zones... so now you have two reasons
The following map shows the locations of nuclear power plants in America. Note there are none in the southern Appalachians (why would there be?). However, there are three plants in the Tennessee Valley. With prevailing winds from the west, an accident at one of these plants could release some radiation over the mountains in southern Tennessee or western North Carolina. In all honesty, this would not deter me from buying property in those areas but it may be a concern for you.
Mining Operations
I don't have a map for large-scale mining operations, but gigantic strip mines are pretty obvious. Just look at satellite images on Google maps before you buy land. The big problem is that new mining operations can be created almost anywhere.
The Globalists and the Climate Hysterians are pushing for a massive increase in 'Green Energy' which will dramatically increase the need/demand for scarce metals. Meeting the current goals of Biden's Green New Deal will require Lithium production to be increased by 500% over the next ten years (and that is just one of many metals).
We can expect there will be MASSIVE environmental degradation as the Globalist's 'protect' the climate.
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Industrial Livestock
Large-scale livestock production (particularly pork and chicken) produces massive amounts of sewage, which may contaminate water sources if it's not properly managed.
- Sidebar - The Globalists want you to eat bugs so they have greatly exaggerated the evils of raising livestock. As a matter of being unbiased... here's a link to a Globalist website so you can read about their views. www.nrdc.org/stories/industrial-agricultural-pollution-101
As with toxic waste, you want to stay way upstream (and upwind) of commercial pig farms and chicken ranches.
Conclusion
I'm not an expert on sustainability or survival but I hope this segment has given y'all some food for thought as you navigate your future. The best preparation is avoidance. Try to avoid the worst, most-likely Threats and Hazards.
I'm convinced there is no future in Progressive Urban Socialist (PUS) cities. They are declining and the Democrat 'leaders' will pull every slimy, dishonest trick they can to keep you on a treadmill and/or bail themselves out.
However, with a bit of planning and forethought, it is entirely possible to escape to fringe suburbs or rural America where life is much better. Retirement, portable job skills, entrepreneurship or the ability to work from home will allow millions of Americans to enjoy a better, more sustainable life away from urban deterioration and chaos.
DON'T PANIC!!! Prepare Your Escape.
I'm not an expert on sustainability or survival but I hope this segment has given y'all some food for thought as you navigate your future. The best preparation is avoidance. Try to avoid the worst, most-likely Threats and Hazards.
I'm convinced there is no future in Progressive Urban Socialist (PUS) cities. They are declining and the Democrat 'leaders' will pull every slimy, dishonest trick they can to keep you on a treadmill and/or bail themselves out.
However, with a bit of planning and forethought, it is entirely possible to escape to fringe suburbs or rural America where life is much better. Retirement, portable job skills, entrepreneurship or the ability to work from home will allow millions of Americans to enjoy a better, more sustainable life away from urban deterioration and chaos.
DON'T PANIC!!! Prepare Your Escape.
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