Preparation Concierge: Getting Ahead of Climate Change
A pragmatic guide to equipping yourself for disasters
Last year was the fourth-hottest in recorded human history. We’re facing an endless fire season in the west, hurricanes to the east, and floods just about everywhere. It’s undeniable that climate change will affect all of us, but the idea of getting ahead of the effects is daunting. We often hear about making a disaster plan, but Googling the word “preparation” leads to panicked doomsday-prepper sites. What most people want and need are basic emergency advice and a few key supplies.
Jason Harper (CH contributor and New Yorker) views climate change with pragmatism. He wasn’t keen on being without a plan, especially after he and his wife barely escaped a fire in their Chelsea walk-up because they didn’t know their building had a second fire escape. “Basic information goes a long way,” he says drily. So he decided to speak with experts at fire departments, the Red Cross, Navy Seals, and various NGOs to come up with a simple tiered plan that just about anybody can use to build the fundamental tools of survival for anywhere from 72 hours to a week. The result is Preparation Concierge, a site where people can find various plans and products—each of which has been tested by an expert.
What happens if you need to get out of town in a hurry?
Evacuation is something you need to think about, and it’s an element where planning is required. You want to know where you’re going to go, and how you’re going to get there. Think about if you and your significant other or kids got separated: figure out a rally point. Where are you going to meet? How are you going to make that happen? This requires practicing that process, so you’re less freaked out when you have to do it for real.
What’s a key takeaway you’ve learned, and why do you want everyone to use your site?
You always think there will be time to discuss a plan, to get prepared—until you’re not and something happens. I really believe this site can be a life-saving tool for anybody, and a whole family can be 50% safer for well under $1,000. It’s also really easy to do all the basics for under $300 and that’s still huge. Making a plan is free, and that alone can be so empowering. Whether you have kids, pets, anyone you love, worrying does you no good, but preparation does.
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