Should Australians be preparing for disaster? Some are – but don’t call them ‘preppers’
As climate risks accelerate and a hot summer approaches, many ordinary Australians are preparing disaster kits and emergency plans. Is prepping becoming mainstream?
Governments worldwide are urging citizens to be prepared for turbulent times, with the UK launching a campaign to advise households on simple steps to stay prepared in case everyday services are disrupted. The UK's Be Ready campaign warns of severe weather and cyber attacks, while also considering the threat of "state-sponsored terrorism" from hostile powers targeting infrastructure.
Australia's official preparedness advice targets natural disasters such as fires, floods, and extreme weather events, given the accelerating climate risks and approaching hot summer. Many Australians are actively preparing disaster kits and emergency plans, despite the stigma associated with the term "prepping" which is often linked to sovereign citizens and conspiracy theorists.
When asked what Australians should prepare for, the government advises storing enough supplies for at least 72 hours in case of emergencies. This includes shelf-stable food, clean water, essential medicines, first-aid kits, torches, batteries, and communication devices. Additionally, important documents like passports, birth certificates, and property deeds should be kept ready for evacuation.
Families should also consider packing child-specific supplies, including nappies, wipes, formula, bottles, toys, and extra clothes. Pet owners should have a plan to evacuate and care for their companion animals.
The rise of prepping in Australia is predominantly driven by climate anxiety and concerns about climate change, rather than international conflicts, super viruses, or artificial intelligence. Many preppers do not consider themselves preppers and view their actions as following government advice. This form of prepping tends to be less ideological, violent, and extreme than stereotypical portrayals suggest.
However, the increased interest in prepping products, electric cars, and solar house batteries also reflects a growing interest in building household resilience in Australia. Prepping remains an everyday practice for those seeking a sense of preparedness, without the associated negative connotations.
Written by urgent.news from The Conversation AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
