WHETHER WE ACKNOWLEDGE IT OR NOT, OUR SOCIETY IS SUBJECT TO THE SAME PROCESSES THAT CAUSED OTHER CIVILIZATIONS TO COLLAPSE, SUCH AS THAT OF EASTER ISLAND.
The Threats
“One of the main lessons to be learned from the collapse of the Maya, Anasazi, Easter Islanders, and those other past societies (as well as from the recent collapse of the Soviet Union) is that a society’s steep decline may begin only a decade or two after the society reaches its peak numbers, wealth, and power.”
-Jared Diamond-
THE CONVERGING CATASTROPHES
As we enter into the 21st century, we face the most compelling challenges and difficulties that humanity has ever confronted. Peak oil, global climate change, overpopulation, environmental destruction, economic collapse, and bird flu are all likely to coalesce during a period of intense hardship and transition. James Howard Kunstler has called this coming time the “Long Emergency.”
Understandably, these topics are topics that many people would rather not discuss. However, if we are to protect our families and communities during the coming times, (and if we do want to bring about a more sustainable, just, and beautiful world for coming generations), it is essential that we know exactly where we are and what we face.
As with all predictions, no one can be certain about the future. This is especially true when it comes to complex social systems. It is likely that not all the prediction made about climate change, peak oil, or bird flu will all pan out. Yet, there’s a lot of wisdom in the saying that we should prepare for the worst and pray for the best.
CRISIS AS OPPORTUNITY
We at OPOA believe that crisis also brings opportunity. Out of the crisis brought about by the “converging catastrophes of the 21st century” (to quote from Kunstler), we hope to build a better and more beautiful world for the coming generations. See our proposed solutions and the action we are planning to take to turn this crisis into an opportunity!
WE NEED YOU!
If you think that the mission and material that OPOA provides is useful and much needed during this coming time of crisis, we ask that you give what you can to support a truly grassroots movement to protect and defend the Earth and humanity during the coming times. With two full-time staff members, practically all funds are used exclusively to further our mission to help prepare the Ohio area for the coming times and to distribute free information about how individuals and communities can prepare for the coming times. Without your kind donations and support we wouldn’t be able to survive! To donate or find out more about how you can get involved please follow this link. Voice your opinions, solutions, inventions, suggestions, insights, strategies, and analyses at www.RelocalizationWiki.org.