"To save the planet, we do not need miraculous technical breakthroughts or vast amounts of capital.  Essentially we need a radical change in our thinking and behaviour."
                                                                                                        - Ted Trainer  

The challenge of the inevitable decline in world oil production, with associated increasing prices and price volatility, is huge.  Add climate change and the economic crisis, and we face a challenge of epic proportions - which is also an opportunity to create a more connected, fulfilling way of life. 

Many people choose to face these problems by decreasing their carbon footprint, preparing for emergencies, learning to live more sustainably, and working to strengthen their local communities.  Along the way, they find that this way of life is more creative, satisfying and interesting.

Nine ideas for getting started

How do you begin to prepare to deal with these possibilities?  Everyone has different circumstances and resources, but here are nine ideas just to help you get started:

1. Put your finances in order. Having an emergency fund, decreasing or avoiding debt, reducing your expenses, and increasing your savings are all ways to create a cushion against price increases or price volatility caused by peak oil.
2. Prepare for short-term emergencies. Oklahoma City experiences many natural disasters such as tornadoes, ice storms and heat waves that knock out power lines.  It's always good policy to have at least two weeks of food and water on hand, for a variety of reasons - more, if possible. You should also consider having a backup way of heating and cooking.  Knowing first aid and having a first aid kit are also important.  
3. Grow and preserve some of your own food. Many urban and suburban lots can grow an amazing amount of fruits, vegetables, beans, potatoes, and herbs - even in as little as one-fifth of an acre. 
4. Increase your home's energy efficiency. Take a look at the energy you are using to heat and cool your home and power your appliances, lights and electronics. Usually, when the price of oil goes up, so do the prices of other forms of energy - natural gas and coal, which are burned to provide electricity, heating and cooking. Lowering your energy bill is not only good for the environment, it will help prevent you from being overwhelmed by future price increases.
5. Reconsider your mode of transport. Single-driver SUV's, trucks and cars are the most inefficient ways to get around. Alternatives include public transportation, carpooling, hybrid cars, motorcycles or scooters, bikes or e-bikes, and simply walking.
6. Buy local.  When you buy locally, you support local agriculture, the local economy, and local jobs. Spending your money with local businesses keeps money circulating in our economy rather than being sent to a corporate headquarters in another state.
7. Build community resilience.  No one person can meet all their needs on their own.  A community -- working together -- can provide food, goods, clothing and energy. You can work together with other people in Oklahoma City to build systems that will meet our needs locally, instead of depending on food, goods, and energy dependent on cheap oil.
8. Learn new skills.  Some skills will always be valuable - knowing how to grow and preserve your food, being able to treat medical emergencies, being able to fix and mend things. Find a skill you are interested in and learn it!
9. Consider alternative energy.  After you have invested in conservation, you might consider harnessing solar energy with passive solar heating, solar lanterns, solar battery chargers, a sun oven, solar hot water, even solar PV systems. You can invest in wind energy by purchasing wind power through OG&E. If you purchase an EPA-certified wood stove, you'll have a way to cook and heat your home with more efficiency and less pollution than a traditional fireplace - and which will always be available, even during a blackout.