The western drought. Europe Officially Launches Covid Vaccine Passports

SurvivalBlog presents another edition of The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods— a collection of news bits and pieces that are relevant to the modern survivalist and prepper from “JWR”. Our goal is to educate our readers, to help them to recognize emerging threats, and to be better prepared for both disasters and negative societal trends. You can’t mitigate a risk if you haven’t first identified a risk. Today, we look at the developing western drought.

Europe Officially Launches Covid Vaccine Passports

Avalanche Lily asked me to post this: Europe officially launches covid “vaccine passports” after clueless media dismissed the idea as a “conspiracy theory”.

West Risks Blackouts as Drought Reduces Hydroelectric Power

Reader C.B. was the first of several readers who sent links to this widely re-posted article from The Wall Street Journal: West Risks Blackouts as Drought Reduces Hydroelectric Power. The article begins:

“States across the West are at risk of electricity shortages this summer as a crippling drought reduces the amount of water available to generate hydroelectric power.

Some of the region’s largest reservoirs are at historically low levels after a dry winter and spring reduced the amount of snowpack and precipitation feeding rivers and streams. The conditions are especially dire in drought-stricken California, where officials say the reservoir system has seen an unprecedented loss of runoff this spring—800,000 acre-feet, or enough to supply more than a million households for a year.”

While America Slept, China Stole the Farm

Some interesting reading, over at AgWeb: While America Slept, China Stole the Farm. Here is a quote:

“Over the past decade, China has appropriated trillions of dollars in sophisticated U.S. technology, with a keen interest in the latest advances in the agriculture industry. In 2013 and 2015, Chinese nationals were nabbed in flagrante delicto by federal authorities, attempting to transport pilfered corn and rice seed to China. However, as the arrests and prosecutions made national headlines, the hard evidence remained ignored. Based on a cursory examination of the CCP’s espionage footprint, the seed thefts are merely emblematic and represent the tip of the iceberg: Beijing is looting the American farm. “

GOP RINO Senators ‘Committed’ to Infrastructure Deal

Sen. Portman: 11 GOP Senators ‘Absolutely Committed’ to Infrastructure Deal — It Helps Biden Keep Pledge.

San Francisco in Severe Drug Epidemic

Reader H.L. sent us this: ‘Fentanyl has changed the whole landscape’: San Francisco faces worst drug epidemic ever.

US Seizes Iran-Linked News Domains

The Associated Press reports: US takes down Iran-linked news sites, alleges disinformation. JWR’s Comment: This is a dangerous precedent that could ignite a cyberwar.

Preppers in North Carolina

Secretive ‘prepping’ community growing amid pandemic, racial unrest. Here is an excerpt:

“Cyber attacks, nuclear warfare, civil unrest, hurricanes and snowstorms. These are just a few of the catastrophes survivalists across North Carolina are preparing for.

A small and secretive community exists in the Triangle, focused on preparing for worst-case scenarios. These people are ready to last without electricity, a trip to the grocery store, or running water for anywhere from a couple months to as long as 3 years.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency says families should be prepared for a natural disaster, and recommends that families have a gallon of water for each person, non-perishable food, a first aid kit and a battery powered radio.

But “preppers” take planning for emergencies a step further. Bradley Garret, a social geographer, told the BBC there are likely 20 million preppers across the globe.

The head of the Triangle’s prepping organization goes by the name Cowboy, and would only speak anonymously. His home is decked out in horseshoes and cowboy paraphernalia. He carries a pistol, wears a cowboy hat, and has worn leather boots to match his bright denim jeans.”