Weather Report: The Economy – Location, Food – “We’re Farmers”, Tools – More Tools

THE ECONOMY–LOCATION: Today, with all the bailouts given and proposed, with all the downturns experienced and expected (and unexpected), here’s where we seem to be:

From: “The Daily Reckoning”, 11/24/08 (@ daily reckoning.com)

“ So far…all we’re sure of is that there is a “balance sheet recession” setting in. And it may be it will turn into a balance sheet depression. Asset prices are falling. People are cutting back. Companies, individuals, and investors are all desperately trying to rebuild their balance sheets — by getting rid of debt. We’re all Japanese now, in other words.”

FOOD–’WE’RE FARMERS’: The article is from Energy Bulletin of 11/25/08 and is entitled “We’re All Farmers Now” (by Tessa Boase, Telegraph–UK). It notes that Patrick Holden, director of the Soil Association (Britain) predicts that next year will be “peak oil” year with the effect of fossil fuel extraction beginning to fall off globally. The significance of this situation is that in Western culture, it now takes 10 calories of fossil fuel to yield one calorie of food, and this is not sustainable. Holden goes on to predict that “…the big issue in coming years will be ‘food security’”.

The article continues with the observation that our food system (UK) “keeps nothing in stock” and relies on computer generated orders delivered by a constant flow of trucks to provide food for the consumer: a “just in time” system (The same situation exists in the US!). [This is essentially a “best of times” system that works well when there are no geo-political up-heavals, oil blockades, terrorists incidents, food shortages, etc]

In conclusion, the writer notes that a small, quiet “revolution” is taking place amongst Britain’s small farmers and among individual citizens (on small plots of un-tilled land): across the country individual citizens are raising their own food. These folks are preparing for a world with less oil and less security.

There’s a valuable paradigm here for America.

TOOLS–MORE TOOLS: Here are two more “tools” to help the prudent home cope with difficult times now and the uncertain times ahead:

“Laurel’s Kitchen” (or “The New Laurel’s Kitchen”) And “Laurels Kitchen Recipes”.

Both of these books are authored by Laurel Robertson, Carol Flinders, and Brian Ruppenthal. They are books that provide a healthy and economical choice/addition to a families food needs from a vegetarian perspective. They would also make great holiday gifts to family and friends. (We recommend “Laurels Kitchen” as a first purchase.) They should be available from your local used-book store or they can order for you.

Until the end of the week, keep your eyes on the horizon.