When I was waiting for the storm to hit I was so wishing that we had NCSC up and running before it hit. But after two years, I still haven' t been able to get that to happen. I have to believe that I was looking at the wrong facility, to the wrong people, and that with this slap across the face, I finally looked in the right place.
I drove out this morning to look at the mill we'd like to purchase, to see the status of its dam. It has been identified as "in poor condition," so it needs a lot of work, and I was afraid that it hadn't withstood Sandy's wrath, but it did. It stands much like a visible castle on a hillside, strong against the winds and weather, with nothing apparently out of place. I know it can stand as a model for how to move forward as we adapt to a changing climate.
And adaptation is what is needed. Certainly we need to try and abate the damage that's been done by industrialization, but though it happened quickly in the planet's measures of time, it will take a long time in the measure of human time, to rectify that harm. We need to find ways to live on Earth while that happens, or if it can't be fixed, we have a way to move forward without making it worse.
I look at NCSC much like Noah's Ark, but instead of serving to repopulate the planet, it exists to serve as a life raft where people can learn lessons and take them home. It also can serve as an emergency shelter, helping people sit out a storm and learn techniques to rebuild after a catastrophe. Though there are many people who still have those skills that will be needed, if we are going to adapt to a new climate, more people need to have those skills themselves. Those hiring help need to know how to judge good from inferior workmanship. It's also not necessary for everyone to purchase a full shop for themselves, though corporations might like that. It makes more sense to develop "tool circles," for building, "food circles" for hungry people" and "textile circles" for people to obtain, make or sell clothing. For those in urban areas, stores may be accessible, but in other areas, keeping those items close by is a lot wiser and practical.
If we can get this site, we'll be in a situation to be able to act as
a emergency coordination site for three states, MA/NH/VT. We're on
high ground, and we're used to the snow, and the buildings are on a
state road, so it's highly accessible. It looks like FEMA learned its
lessons from Katrina, but I think it's wise to have duplication of
efforts within a region, so if one area is hit, there another resource
nearby to help out.
Having a location in the high country, where
we're already used to heavy snows, but safe from tidal surges, make
sense. Yes, there is always a risk of flooding, but buildings like this
one have stood the test of time, and have shown that they can survive,
if they are well cared for.
Do you share my concern that our nation is ill prepared for climate shift? Many people wish we would call it a "food hub," or an "arts center," but it really is a center for sustainability, which includes food, economy, the arts and community. Please visit www.indiegogo.com/NCSCTools and give, or check out our website at www.northcountrysustain.org.
Help us build our ark so we can help others build theirs. Thank you.