What can you do?

At http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5597968

Ted Koppel warns: “Grass-Roots America Isn't Prepared for Catastrophe”

“I know that in the event of an emergency I'm going to hear some screeching noise on my local radio station, and then (they've been promising for years) someone will tell me precisely what to do. But I've been in broadcasting for fifty years and no one's ever told me. So if I'm on the air when trouble strikes, don't expect me to tell you where to go or what to do,” says Koppel.

That means individuals, families and groups need to have made preparations and have a plan, because help may not be coming for a while.

Immediately, go to www.earthhour.org and sign up for the massive March 29 “lights off” demonstration around the world.

Visit our other partners on this site and connect with what they’re doing.

Simple things you must have in place:

Enough food in the houses so that we can stay home for a few weeks if we have to. That means an ample supply of canned and packaged goods that do not require heating or cooling and can be eaten straight from the container. Dried fruits, nuts and sufficient water, 3 gallons a day per person for 2 weeks, are a must. I keep a supply of drinking water and also gallons of tap water to use for washing dishes, flushing toilets and bathing.

●A crank-up radio.
●Lanterns, flashlights, candles, and sufficient batteries.
●Pet food, if you have pets.
●Prescription medicine & a First Aid kit.
●Clorox bleach can be used to purify water (4 drops for 1 quart, let it sit 30 minutes)

Realistically think through what you will need to have on hand, and stock up over time.  These are not luxuries, but necessities.