Group of people stare at flooded area of village.

Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst

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The headlines have been bleak. Hurricanes, floods, fires, and earthquakes, all caused or intensified by climate change, have destroyed homes, businesses and crops, and displaced families all over the world. Not to mention the toxic spills from chemical and petroleum plants. And then there’s the political upheaval unfolding in the U.S. and abroad. Many of us laughed at those who were preparing for the world to end in 2012. But in the face of these crises, we cannot help but wonder if they were correct to be stocking up and hunkering down.

Given the worsening climate conditions of the years ahead, preparing for the worst does make sense. Obviously, central to that is organizing to turn back climate change. But it is also past time to create an emergency kit and emergency evacuation plan for when disaster strikes your household and your community. Hesperian materials are an excellent resource to include in any emergency kit. Our Preparedness Set features 3 of our most requested books — Where There Is No Doctor, Where There Is No Dentist, and Where There Is No Animal Doctor. Packed with useful information to help you navigate common injuries and afflictions, these 3 books can help you care for those around you when help from the medical system is out of reach.