EMERGENCY RISK REDUCTION

Most of you are aware that here in British Columbia, I focus on agricultural emergencies. “What are they?” you may ask. “And why should we care?”  Good questions, and I’ll offer a few reasons, which I’ve mentioned in other blogs.

Two – thirds of animal diseases (and 100’s exist!) are ‘zoonotic’, which means they begin in animals, either wild or domesticated, but are able to transfer to humans. A few are Ebola, SARS, some of the ‘pox’ family, and some tuberculosis strains. This is why sometimes we hear the terms ‘swine flu’ or ‘avian influenza.’  They have originated in animals, birds, etc.  The complication is that, in general, animals only carry but do not contract the disease, similar to someone walking around contagious and spreading a virus but showing no signs.  An out-of-control  zoonotic disease could be globally devastating. So knowledge of animal diseases supports improved public human health.

 Also, there is the issue with our food chain, which can easily be disrupted in a disaster, on both a local or national scale. I am writing this in a Starbucks and literally every consumed in this coffee shop is at the end of a long food chain. This dark roast Sumatran coffee has traveled all the way from SE Asia, for example.  If Starbucks closed, much less grocery stores or pubs, how long before there is a human revolt? It is human nature, especially in today’s interdependent society. Then the real disaster (i.e. anarchy) begins!

Lastly, an unresolved agricultural disaster can become a societal disaster.  We intrinsically know the value of agriculture because it’s our source of food. But it is a fragile industry, with huge risks, and one where the ‘family farm’ and its advantages are vanishing. I have mentioned that I now live on a small (4 acre) pick-your-own berry and orchard farm, but we also grow some vegetables for our own use.  My overwhelming impression is how much can be grown on a very small patch of ground…literally enough year-round for a large family.  Admittedly, there may not be every food choice on-demand, such as buying cantaloupe or strawberries in January.  But we eat what is in season, as did our ancestors.  And between fresh and stored (i.e. canning, drying, freezing), we can have plenty, even here in the long winters of Canada.

Yes, we are now an urban population, and fewer and fewer of us have the luxury of living with acreage in the country. But for some of us, we could do better. This might mean using part of that grassy front or backyard as a vegetable garden. At least we could consider this option, do some planning, and be prepared.  Meanwhile, stock up on some canned and dried foods of your choice, including favorite comfort foods. We’re maybe going to need them. We should develop a system of rotating these stored into our daily diets today, so that we constantly have a fresh stock on hand. Realize that this is different from ‘hoarding’ food. Let’s be wise but sensible.  Our goal should not only be to survive an emergency that may come from an ‘agricultural source’ but to thrive during it.

Thanks for reading.