What changes can we make to our lives to deal with the economic and energy crises ahead? Have you already started making preparations? Got tips to share?
Summary of the first article on the front page of yesterdays Times:
People should stock up on battery-powered radios and torches, as well as candles and first aid kits in order to prepare for power cuts or digital communications going down, the deputy prime minister reportedly said.
According to the Times, Oliver Dowden described the supplies as “analogue capabilities that it makes sense to retain” in a digital age during a visit to Porton Down, the UK’s military laboratory.
Dowden made the visit to coincide with his first annual risk and resilience statement, which he had promised to give last year when launching the government’s UK resilience framework.
Seems very sensible to me.
The risks of power cuts due to natural gas shortages has somewhat receded, but risks from extreme weather have increased, consider the about 2 week long power cuts following storm Arwen for example.
Risks of software failure or attacks have arguably increased.
Candles, battery operated lighting, battery radio sets and PLENTY OF BATTERIES are therefore sensible.
First aid supplies are always prudent, remember that medical help might not be promptly available in case of internet/phone failure.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
Physical generating capacity looks adequate, as do fuel supplies. Large scale attacks on gas and oil infrastructure could change that though.
IMHO the government fear hacking attacks on electrical and other infrastructure.
russia, china, north korea, iran, hamas, and probably others are potential attackers. Simple criminal extortion for money rather than political ends is also a risk.
Fuel shortages would only result in 3 hour rota power cuts, but attacks on infrastructure could result in much longer outages with significant loss of life.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
This kind of thing has been said every few years for at least the last couple of decades - it's good, sensible advice. Was in the past and continues to be.
What's more interesting is why Government's over the years haven't been more overt about this kind of thing. Why isn't there standard recommendations for minimal preparedness in event of power cut, interruptions to water or gas services. Terrorism, general strike, Internet outage etc Any of these things can happen and just a basic level of preparedness that every household should be advised about could significantly improve matters.
It all depends on what you're faced with...., and how long for....
If you're reasonably fit and healthy, most things are survivable for a few days...
Gas cut off for a few days - most people can wrap up warm, plug in an electric heater and survive on sandwiches and hot drinks...
Electricity cut off for a few days - no light or gadgets and maybe no heat, but probably still survivable if you have gas and some candles...
Water cut off for a few days - probably a 'run' on bottled water at the shops but survivable if the local water company brings in tankers...
No fuel available for a few days - ring in 'sick', or work from home - most people will have at least a few days worth of food...
The effects are obviously compounded if you were lose more than 1 utility...
Flooding - makes a house pretty much uninhabitable, so be prepared to grab your valuables and relocate...
For me, this would be the worst thing to suffer, short of your house burning down or a gas explosion...
In my case
Gas cut off for a few days=no problem as have no gas.
Electricity cut off for a few days=only a small problem as I have a UPS with a run time of at least 24 hours, or 4 days at 6 hours a day.
Mains water off for a few days, no problem as I have bottled water for drinking and an IBC of rainwater for toilet flushing etc.
No petrol or diesel for a few days, NO direct problem as I don't drive, but I am rather reliant on supermarket home deliveries and on taxis but could manage without for some time.
Heating, I keep logs, anthracite and paraffin for at least one whole winter.
Food I keep enough for 2 weeks normal diet and about a year of doomfood.
Laundry OK for a few weeks as a large reserve of underwear, outer clothes and sheets.
Lack of telephone and internet service= No problem under normal circumstances, but could have serious consequences in case of fire or sudden illness.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
Seriously though interesting to speculate why it is being said just now.
AFAIK it is government policy to publish an update on this, and related issues at least once a year, due about now. No particular significance should be attached to the date.
"Installers and owners of emergency diesels must assume that they will have to run for a week or more"
I quite a like to see a disruption to electricity supplies in a town or city. The place simply shuts down. Ready cash buys little when tills don't work. Smaller traders who're happy to keep a cash box do well.
I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker
