Disasters like Katrina, 911, and the wild fires on the west coast, are causing more and more people to realize the importance and security of self reliance. Many others are turning to this subject out of a sense of dissatisfaction with the fast paced technological lifestyle so prevalent today. They yearn for a more simple, natural way of life. To acheive self reliance we must address four basic needs: water, food, shelter and power. True self reliance meets these needs in a way that is both sustainable, and also in a way that brings us into closer harmony with nature. Self reliance means freedom.
While advances in technology have moved us away from a simple, sustainable lifestyle, many of these same technologies are making it more feasible now for people to return to a rural self reliant way of life. For example, solar power technologies offer a way to provide electricity for home appliances, lighting, and even well pumps. Solar panels are virtually no-maintainance, long lasting and non polluting.
Self reliance is now within reach for most people. It does require research and careful planning and there are some extremely helpful books on the subject. If you’re looking for a good place to start, check out Crisis Preparedness. It contains 320 pages of helpful information including dozens of detailed checklists, tables, resources lists and photographs.