Not being a TEOTWAWKI theory sort of gal, I watched a programme on British TV last night called Horizon. It was about what would happen to the UK if the gulf stream (that keeps our weather so mild for the latitude) stopped. They reckon that excess fresh water flowing into the Artic from the melting Greenland ice sheet and increased river output from the Siberian Rivers would stop the current circulating. The effect of not having this warm water flow past us is predicted to be devastating to North western Europes climate. At a basic level, it would get COLD. There would be an increase in snow fall and ice storms. In this situation, I think its fair to say that the UK's infrastructure as is wouldn't cope very well.

Anyway, here's the URL for the programme for more details:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/horizon/

The programme got me thinking though.. IF it happenned, would I be prepared?

The answer without to much thought was no.

So what could I do to get prepared?

As a research student living off a maintenance grant (=constantly broke) living in rented multiple occupancy short term accommodation, things like large stores of food, water, fuel are out of the question (I move on average every 12 months). As are generators etc.

If this were to occur, I assume that national infrastructure (water, electricity, gas, transport) would be minimal or non-exsistant. Medical and emergency services would be stretched massively.

Given all that what preparations could I make as an individual?

I have some ideas that I'll post later on today and as I think of them later. I've just noticed how long this post is getting! I'd be especially interested to hear what people do who live in those sort of conditions already.

Like I said above, this is only a mental exercise for a bit of fun, but who knows what useful ideas may be generated?

<img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Answers on a postcard please....!