We live in an incredibly complex world with far too many people in it. On top of that we have developed weapons which can annihilate our planet. We are also facing the existential crisis of climate change. While there have been crises that humanity has faced before these are the most extreme.

I believe the best we can do is to focus on our families and our communities. Enjoy the present but also put into place plans for the future. The most important things will be easy access to energy, food and water.

On top of that use your vote to elect local, statewide and national leaders who understand and support measures that are anti fossil fuel and pro locally based energy grids and centers. Support leaders who will take a rational approach to global conflict, doing their best to eliminate the possible use of nuclear weapons.

Also support leaders who will not tolerate any form of discrimination or racism. Forget about the small irrelevant cultural issues that divide us such as abortion, LBGT rights, religious beliefs. Keep those to yourself.

We must come together as a human race which understands it is dealing with the survival of our species and act accordingly. Other civilizations have failed in the past. It is probably a good thing ours in its present form will not survive.

This does not mean however that our species cannot go forward into the future and start a new, healthier, life-affirming one.