Grand Solar Minimum

Preparing For The Grand Solar Minimum

Will anyone recognize that a Grand Solar Minimum is apparently coming? And what are they (or you) going to do about it? How much of the food supply might be affected and how to prepare for it?  

by Anony Mee 

We engage in a preparedness lifestyle just in case misfortune befalls us.  We often discuss what sorts of events those might be – loss of a job, medical emergencies, wars of various sorts, and how to prepare.  Ken does a survey generally every year on what we’re all prepping for.  It’s always interesting to see the results and comments on that article. 

This past month I’ve written two articles for American Thinker on the Modern Grand Solar Minimum and, in the process, have managed to scare myself. (The Coming Modern Grand Solar Minimum)  

My grandparents and parents lived through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl.  Mom’s family were wheat farmers.  Dad’s folks were just plain dirt poor.  They all suffered.  Contemplating several years of low harvests, on a global scale, with perhaps more years of lingering bad weather, is still hard for me to wrap my head around.  

Grand Solar Minimum – Once-In-Every-400-Years Event

No matter what else might happen in our lives, our families, our neighborhoods, or our country, our world is facing predictable dark cold years, estimated to begin in 2028 and continue at least through 2032.  The low point of a Grand Solar Minimum is a once-in-every-400-years event. 

I’m convinced that all the “noise” from the pandemic – the stupid shutdowns, the shortages due to pandemic-related issues, etc. – has masked the beginning of the Grand Solar Minimum.  2019 and 2020 saw failed or limited harvests over much of the globe, mostly due to weather.  We’ll see if this year is any better.  Hope it will be, but the lack of sunspot activity is grim, and it’s early in the minimum cycle for it to be so low. 

The Year Without A Summer

Chart: Years of Maunder Minimum & Dalton Minimum

1816 was the year without a summer.  It was the trough of the Dalton Minimum. It was not even a Grand Solar Minimum (see the chart above).

The Dalton Minimum was also impacted by the 1815 massive eruption of Mt. Tambora in Indonesia.  Violent eruptions tend to coincide with solar minimums.  

In September 1816 Thomas Jefferson wrote to a friend, “We have had the most extraordinary year of drought & cold ever known in the history of America. . . . The crop of corn thro’ the Atlantic states will probably be less than ⅓ of an ordinary one, that of tobo still less, and of mean quality. The crop of wheat was midling in quantity, but excellent in quality. But every species of bread grain taken together will not be sufficient for the subsistence of the inhabitants.” 

Grand Solar Minimum’s are marked by famine and societal upheaval. 

Hopefully, we have several ‘not too bad years’ to get our affairs in order.   

Here are some questions we might ask ourselves as we plan for this inevitable future: 

How much food do we need to set aside for hard times to come because of the Grand Solar Minimum?   

A pamphlet published some time ago by LDS members recommended these amounts for one person for one year of dry (dried, dehydrated, or freeze-dried) food:  

Grains – 400 lbs, Beans & Legumes – 90 lbs, Milk & Dairy – 75 lbs, Meat – 20 lbs, Sugars – 60 lbs, Fruit & Vegetables – 90 lbs, and (not dried) Fats = 20 lbs.  A full explanation of how this breaks down is here: Long Term Storage Food For 1 Year – How Much Food Is That? (modernsurvivalblog.com). 

If we think that harvests will be 50% of normal, do we just cut these numbers in half? No.  Long-season crops like grains, citrus fruits, and some vegetables may see their harvests more impacted than short-season fruits and vegetables.  

Countries To Restrict Exports?

Countries may choose to restrict exports in order to have more for their own people which could impact chocolate, sugar, vanilla, spices, and out of season fresh items. 

Federal Restrictions?

Given what we’ve experienced this past year with the pandemic, do we think that the federal government might restrict food availability to ensure “essential workers”, like the military, are fed first? 

Do we think state and local governments might restrict access to food – grocery stores, restaurants, and farmers’ markets?   

What About Food Programs?

How will the USDA feeding programs for seniors, breakfasts and lunches for school children, and farm-to-family programs be impacted?   

If vendors limit the number of items someone can buy, will donations to local food banks and charitable feeding programs dry up? 

Impacts To Food Access?

Access to food, from many sources, could be impacted.  Will it, and if so to what extent – who knows? 

Will Anyone Recognize And Do Something About It?

Are we in a position to increase our own gardening and preservation efforts? 

If not, ask for help now rather than later. 

This is our Genesis 41 (Joseph and Pharaoh’s dream of seven fat cows) moment.  It will be a huge effort to ensure we and our loved ones make it through.   

Hopefully, the government will heed the scientists’ warnings and begin to stockpile harvests to ensure the maximum number of people make it through.  If it doesn’t, a great reset of another sort may also be upon us. 

What do you think is the best way to proceed? 

[ Ken adds:

NOAA is predicting a ‘full-blown’ Grand Solar Minimum (GSM)

GSM’s have the potential to hold sunspots at ZERO for multiple decades. The most famous example is the Maunder Minimum (1645-1715). It brought plummeting temperatures, crop loss, famine, and the deaths of hundreds of millions of people ACROSS the planet.

The Maunder Minimum was the most recent occurrence of what are known as grand solar minima. Periods of very low solar activity, that recur every 350 to 400 years. So we’re due for another minimum.

When is the next Grand Solar Minimum? A study published in the journal ‘Temperature‘, Prof. Valentina Zharkova demonstrates that the Sun has entered into the modern Grand Solar Minimum (2020 – 2053).

93 Comments

  1. Anony Mee,
    Thanks for the article. You write very well. I was trying to explain to a friend about this. He was really struggling to understand. This guy is no dummy BTW. It’s confusing to some, the 11 – 12 year solar cycle vs. the 400 year cycle you’re writing about. Maybe you can expand with the basics???

    I enjoy this topic. I routinely check-in with suspicious observer and space weather news. I have a lot to learn here, but it’s important stuff. Thanks again

    1. Plainsmedic, Check out the links in the article.
      .. .. .. ..
      Also – “So today we’re in the rising phase of a solar cycle (slight warming) at the beginning of a GSM (intense cooling) in the warming phase of a super-grand solar cycle (persistent warming). All generated by the sun, not people. That’s us, warming and cooling at the same time.” from AmericanThinker
      .. .. .. .. 
      Also check out Grand Solar Minimum – Research Astrophysicist Dr. Zharkova Warns


      1. Yes, I’ve read your articles at American Thinker. I have a basic understanding of things. I was struggling to help my friend understand. I think you’re much better with words than I.

        We’re not far from the 12,000 year cycle either. There’s very little we can do, other than prepare. Pole shift, galactic plane, solar cycles, volcanic releases, etc. There is significant evidence to suggest the 12,000 year cycle (our sun may be a re-occuring micro-nova star) will nearly wipe-out mankind. Who knows? I certainly don’t, but it’s a very interesting topic.

      1. Ken, Me neither, first several times I tried. Both iPhone and laptop. Had to shut both off and restart satellite link to get a comment to post. Wonder if it’s an artifact from the “solar tsunami” reported for the past few days.

        1. Okay, thanks for the input. I made yet another adjustment. We’ll see how it goes.

  2. Anony Mee,
    Excellent article!
    If the PTB don’t start acting to find work around for the cold seasons to come, there will indeed be a Giant reset.
    We as a country need to stop the all out exportation of all of our grains and start keeping our soybeans corn wheat etc for our country.
    Farmers will need help transitioning. The American people need to understand, that their kids will be hungry!! That is what spurs me on,The thought of my granbabies hungry!!
    Excellent article Anony Mee. Thanks for taking the time to do it.
    Peace,
    MadFab

  3. I just visited the NOAA website and can not find anything about Grand Solar Minimum listed. All I can find are references to Climate Change caused by man made CO2 deposits. I am confused…

    1. GA BOY,
      Check out suspiciousobserver dot com. Tons of videos to explain. Entertaining and informative.

    2. Go to you tube and learn a lot. NOAA does talk about the minimum. Spaceweather .com is good to.

  4. Anony Mee,

    Thank you for taking the time to share your research and insight here on top of the work you’ve done for AT – great work!

    This is such an important topic and yet I’m doubting TPTB will do anything to help prepare for it. They seem to prefer to bang the drum on “climate change” as caused by people and livestock. I’m doubting they will want to admit the sun will do what it’s going to do regardless of how many of us burn fossil fuels or eat beef.

    And, if they do finally take it seriously, it may be too late to do much about it. Unless they panic in coming harvest seasons and route grain to reserves rather than open markets. In which case that will create its’ own havoc with prices and supplies at a time when production is already jeopardized.

    Wondering who (if anyone) we can write to or call to raise their awareness at local, state or even national levels? Would anyone even listen?

    1. So Cal Gal, de nada. I understand we are no longer addressing “climate change”, but rather the “climate crisis.” The pro-regressives are going to translate the weather impacts of a GSM as being the natural outcome of all the activities they are shrieking about. In 2041 some rando libsider will say “If only we had left behind a carbon based technology, stopped eating meat, let in every illegal, stopped prosecuting all the criminals, and transferred all our resources to the ineffective and inefficient, no one would have starved to death 2028 to 2040.”
      .. .. ..
      Is snarkasm a word?

    2. SoCalGal
      Best to just get your own house in order, Honestly the number of people who buy the government line of BS on climate without even taking a moment to look at ALL of the data and form an informed decision, it tells me dont worry about them, the government or anyone who wont open their minds and eyes.

      We need to get our own house in order and maintain our own house in order, IMHO both spiritually and physically.
      The koolaid bowl is deep and many drink from it with abandon.

      I remember watching a documentary on the climate, solar cycles and past history of climate that was revealed through core samples from various spots on the planet, it all points to long wave cycles that repeat, from warm/extremely warm to frozen. What those researchers, who had a wide range of backgrounds said made perfect sense, a lot more sense than what these yahoos are expecting all of us to swallow. The sheer arrogance to believe that man kind is causing climate change is absurd. Our contribution in one month is less than natural sources over one day. Much more of the climate changes have to do with solar activity and geological forces than anything man made, we are miniscule compared to mother nature

  5. Anony Mee, Good that you’re continuing to raise awareness about this – much appreciated!

    Given the agenda at play by Mr. Global and corrupt minions, I seriously doubt any effort will be made at a federal level to support and protect the food interests of the general population. If the country weren’t busy being so divided up into various ‘victim/oppressor’ groups, we might see that we all need to eat, and rally around that commonality.—My focus this year is growing as much as I can, with an emphasis on root crops, along with some favorites. They seem to fare better with lower light and cooler temps, and most can be grown in shorter seasons. I’m also going to be succession planting like crazy. Something comes out of the ground, and if there’s still growing time left, something goes in. Watering infrequently, but deeply, to encourage roots to seek moisture deeper down helps build some resistance to drought, as does mulching thickly.—One thing I need to focus more on is using water wisely; there’s still a lot of wasteful use we can eliminate.—Thank you for keeping us informed and focused!

    1. I read somewhere about reflective surfaces being important to help with growing crops when there’s so little sunlight. I’m in Ireland so am considering moving the family closer to the equator soon. The deagle. com population predictions for 2025 make sense to me now. The choice seems to be to live like an Inuit or be a refugee.

      1. I have thought of this too. Not long ago someone on this site referred to an article about growing trees in cold conditions. search ( Fruit Trenches: Cultivating Subtropical Plants in Freezing Temperatures) I’m sorry I can’t remember who wrote about it but it uses the warmth of earth. I think reflection and something to hold the heat would help.
        I feel I must divulge I do NOT have a green thumb. But it sounds like it should work.

        1. PNW Sal Low tech webpage has a lot of useful information in addition to the trench fruit trees article you mentioned. Seems well before we simply fired up the propane heater/electric lights for our green house folks had figured out Labor Intensive but cheap ways to do it.

          Walipini greenhouses are well worth your research also.

          What is a Walipini? Walipini, also known as sunken greenhouse, underground greenhouse, pit greenhouse, or earth-sheltered greenhouse, is a structure with the growing area dug into the ground. Having the growing area under the ground level gives you the thermal benefits of being cool in warm weather and warm in cold weather similar to a root cellar.

          Morning Chores webpage is a good start. Plenty more out there.

          Drainage is the main issue with earth sheltering your growing areas. Places like where Anony Mee lives the ground water is not far below the surface of the earth. Raised Bed Gardens and building earth sheltered structures on hillsides and higher ground can help.

          Places like where Lauren lives is dealing with water shortages so her solutions will be different than yours.

          Gardening an science and art form best developed for YOUR Area. :-)

        2. Thank you for the help. I need all I can get. I checked out the pages you mentioned and bookmarked them so I can use them for future reference. With solar minimum on the way it’s good to do the best design I can now.

        3. PNW Sal I agree that it’s better to rent a Backhoe NOW to build such projects beats post SHTF-Solar Minimum to be doing it with a shovel.

          Plus nothing beats trying new ideas out while the Grocery Stores *Still* have food in them :-0!!

          You might also look over at Mike Ohler’s 50.00 and Up underground house and his underground green house book.

          Amazing what hippie engineering, logs salvaged materials and virgin heavy duty black plastic can do.

      2. Eyes opening, Take a hard look at culture, population density, infrastructure, and government before deciding on a move to an equatorial country. Might be better being colder in a land where one does not stand out as a target, where property rights are respected, and where you may be able to secure food now for hard times to come without many noticing. Kinda been all over so have a feel for some of the places with the 12-hour days and nights.

  6. Anony Mee,
    Wonderful article, you do have a way with words. Thank you for getting this out so people can understand what is going to happen. Many will not listen, but that then becomes their worry. It could very well be a devistating time, but those who heed your words now will be prepared.

  7. I appreciate all of the info everyone contributes. What we know for sure is Mother Nature does as she pleases and we humans are in her path.

  8. We’ve been aware of a Grand Solar Minimum for several months but finding information does require a little bit of digging .
    In order to deal with it we have enlarged our garden, purchased more canning supplies and moved to as many heirloom seed varieties as we can. Food will be our largest concern, as least at this time. If things progress in a very negative direction we will undoubtedly see gov controls/mandates being put into place. Wouldn’t want to waste a crisis moment ( sarc).
    Thank you Anony Mee for a good article on a subject we should all be aware of.

    1. Bluesman I’ve been selecting seeds for a full grow zone colder than mine. Heirloom for seed saving. You are aware that several of our favored veggies are Biannual requiring TWO years to grow seeds. Cabbage, Beets, Carrots and Onions off the top of my head.

      In my area of NH I can straw mulch the cut off (harvested) cabbages and if the voles don’t get them most of them will grow a set of smaller heads and a seed stalk the second year. Carrots and Beets I have to keep in damp sand in the earth sheltered Garage to replant next spring for seeds. Onions I have NO CLUE as I’ve had almost zero luck growing onions here. So I grow extra garlic and am trying out Egyptian Walking Onions that self propagate. So far this spring they ALL look great despite Turkeys trying out the greens earlier this spring.

      1. NHM,
        You should be able to leave those carrots in the ground and covered through the winter. no need to dig and replant for the 2nd year to get seed. Mine freeze in the ground uncovered here, and then sprout in the spring. The main body of the carrot disinigrates, but the green part sprouts and grows seed the 2nd year. Onions will go to seed at the end of their 1st growing season, so you will need to gather them then.

        1. Thanks Minerjim but I have voles that eat every root crop I overwinter. So far they don’t eat cabbage and garlic. So far I don’t have success growing onions.

      2. NH Michael,
        We haven’t done the biannual seeds yet. We do pole beans, bush beans, dry beans, 2 pepper varieties , 5 tomato varieties, 3 squash varieties and 3 varieties of potatoes .
        Good idea on a colder grow zone .

        1. If you harvest your own seeds, keep the earliest maturing seeds. A friend of mine did this consistently and has a 60 day growing season. He plants most food crops and said he noticed a two week reduction in time to maturity the first year. Each year he chooses the earliest for seed. I’m not sure how far you could take this, but it’s definitely worth trying.

          I also plant early (when there is still likelyhood of frost) and I seem to be developing cold hardiness even in tomatoes and squashes. I cover them with milk bottles and let them go.

  9. Anony Mee

    Yes, a good write.
    I try to hit AT, on occasion….usually when someone points out your articles.

    Anywho,
    I was thinking,
    not only will this be a destruction of our crop growing/planting/harvesting….
    it may have an impact on wildlife….
    another food source.

    Harsher winters will impact survival rates. Predator VS prey.

    Will your fish pond/lake survive the severe freezes?
    We’ve experienced two pond die offs with severe icing, since ’78.

    Critters react differently when nature calls to them, unlike humans.

    Plan accordingly

  10. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to research greenhouses.

  11. Anony Mee
    I have never had a green thumb so these may be obvious answers but I’ll ask anyway. Would reflection or absorption make enough difference in a greenhouse with the temperatures we will have?

    1. Depends on where you are and a lot of other factors. I know it can’t hurt and will make a difference, but how much is difficult to say. My greenhouse averages 12-15 degrees higher than the outside during the winter. I have only had it drop to 20 once, and that was when the outside temperature was in the low single digits.

    2. PNW Sal, Lauren is right. And it depends on how much ambient light and heat there is, and if one is going to augment with electrical lighting or secondary sources of heating. I don’t have much of a green thumb either; my plants tend to live in spite of me rather than because of me.
      .. .. .. ..
      Ken and all the solar power gurus out there, here’s a question for you. Could an RV-style solar set-up – portable panel to battery – capture enough juice to run a few greenhouse lights a few extra hours each day?

      1. To answer your question, yes of course. It’s a matter of design parameters.

      2. Solar panels perform poorly in less than direct sunlight. No shadow no power is the rule of thumb. Low Tech magazine website tells of growing citris in Russia. Well worth reading.

        1. That’s what battery storage is for. Collect the panel’s solar energy while the sun shines – to be used later while there’s not so much…

        2. I hear you Ken but when I read the weather expected during this extended Grand Solar Minimum I suspect a LOT of very cloudy days and a general chilling of everything due to lack of Solar Energy making it to the earths surface. Thus my concerns that solar panels will be generating less power than we hope for.

          I’d like to be wrong here but…

          Also some of my readings point our SERIOUS Hailstorms as part and parcel of the Grand Solar Minimum as in 2+ inches sizes. I’m seriously looking at making my solar array rotatable so I can shelter it under my house eves if a severe storm is nearby.

          Thus why I pointed out the Low Tech Magazine article where that the Russians successfully grew citrus fruits in trapezoidal trenches using special pruning-shaping of the fruit trees. NO Glass roof, just the advantages of earth heat and protection from moisture and heat stealing winds. They used 2 inch wood planks and straw matts for insulation at night and during the wintertime.

          The Russians were growing citrus several grow zones away from their KNOWN growing limits a little like a Solar Minimum?

          I was researching LED Grow lights for solar panel use. Doable (As Commercial Pot Growers have shown) but the 2 year expected lifespan VS the DECADES of Solar Minimum seems a problem.

        3. also–the early east coast Americans would build a south-facing rock wall and grow their fruit trees up against it on the south side. The fruit trees were warmed by the sun and any cold north winds were blocked by the rock wall.

      3. Definitely AnonyMee
        they even make LED grow lights now that draw way less current than the old halides or flourescents, a couple batteries, a charge controller, couple small panels, a timer and your lights, if LED may be able to connect direct to the batteries/timer if not a small inverter.

        1. Thanks all.
          This gives me a lot to think about. Like I said I don’t have a green thumb but I keep learning tricks and tips. I may look at passive solar things to try for heat retention also. Again thanks.

  12. I’ve read that someone is considering dimming the sun.
    Can’t imagine the potential effects on the phytoplankton.
    As well as reducing the effectiveness of UV from the sun, at eliminating pathogens.
    What about crop reduction? Can you say famines!

    1. SpiritOf76,
      Apparently Mr. Bill Gates has plans to put tons of powdered chalk in the atmosphere to reflect the sun’s rays to reduce global warming. His first attempt to do this was from a balloon in Sweden. It was recently cancelled .What a fruit loop.

    2. Spirit of 76,
      This is being brought to us by Bill and Melinda Gates.
      These people are pure EVIL!!
      Peace
      MadFab

  13. NH Michael, “Low Tech magazine website tells of growing citris in Russia.” Thank you. Fascinating reading and great illustrations. Here’s the location for those interested: lowtechmagazine.com/2020/04/fruit-trenches-cultivating-subtropical-plants-in-freezing-temperatures.html
    .. .. .. ..
    Have you seen this one about the Nebraska famer that grows citrus? .. .. .. ..
    youtube.com/watch?v=ZD_3_gsgsnk

    1. Anony Mee glad to hear you enjoyed it. I’ll take a peek at the Nebraska Farmer, I think it’s the one I read about some years ago using much the same techniques the Russians and Chinese have done.

      Did you happen to notice on that site the Crimean Oven and the many variants like the Gloria for efficient heating of structures like Greenhouses and such? Properly done NO Fire Hazard to your livestock-plants-hay storage and easy on the firewood supply as in wind dropped limbs.

      All are variants of the Russian Tile Stove-Rocket Mass Heater but MUCH cheaper to build.

      Knowing well your area, having lived in Port Townsend area you CAN do Earth Shelter Greenhouses ABOVE Grade using logs and plastic sheeting that can last for decades despite the soil moisture in your area. Repairable structures BTW.

      I’d want to reestablish wool sheep if I lived in your AO, livestock dogs were bred to keep cougars honest. Wool clothing will again be a very valued item when you can’t get cheap Asian clothing from Wal-Mart. Worth maybe a Co-Op attitude maybe? Community needs a reason to BE a Community.

  14. Anony Mee,

    Your article got a link and mention on Gab. Lots of people will see it, and hopefully act on the message.

  15. Anonymee,
    Unfortunately, most people dismiss these sort of article as hogwash, regardless of how real the historical threat is.

  16. Anony Mee,
    Thank you for again bringing this to light. I hope your words make it to more and more people who take heed – and it would be great if those in positions to do something about this on a wider scale actually step up and act while there is still time.

  17. Antique Collector, Dear One, re “You notice the sun is whiter in color than before, and your skin burns quicker.” and “You had better let me know who I can blame this on, and it is not mama nature.”. .. .. .. ..
    Sorry to say but that’s exactly what it is. “After the discovery of a significant reduction of magnetic field in the upcoming modern grand solar minimum and during Maunder minimum, the solar magnetic field was recognized to control the level of cosmic rays reaching planetary atmospheres of the solar system, including the Earth. A significant reduction of the solar magnetic field during grand solar minima will undoubtedly lead to the increase of intensity of galactic and extra-galactic cosmic rays
” .. ..
    Zharkova at tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23328940.2020.1796243

    1. AC, Basically it is the lack of sunspot activity over the past couple of years, and continuing for the next 30 or so. The background solar magnetic field, which normally covers the entire solar system shrinks down to almost nothing. Our protection from much of the incoming cosmic radiation and particles is almost nonexistent. The solar system’s protection from the ferocity of the sun is found in the same magnetosphere, which has already pulled back. This is a routine cycling that happens every 5 to 6 full human lifespans (350 to 400 years). It’s just a thing that happens. And we are the first to have some understanding of what we are living through.

      1. Anony Mee
        It is more noticeable now to others regarding this on going effect of the GSM.

        It started actually around 1990, it has intensified. You have your logical theory which I believe you are basing on research. I am basing mine on watching the sky, along with the life cycles of the planet. In my personal opinion, it has had out side help beyond mother natures control.

        We will have to agree to disagree on this matter.

        1. You can disagree AC, but the changes to the magnetosphere are what regulates solar radiation, it is up, way up, if the magnetosphere disappeared the planet would burn to a crisp, its a delicate balance, ine that puny little humans and all their contraptions and arrogance have no influence on. Just sayin is all.

        2. Antique Collector, Not at all. If you look at the second chart in figure 1 in the referenced paper it shows that starting right about 1990 solar surface activity began to flatten out. Published science has merely caught up with your experience and perception of these changes. This GSM will be relatively short, just 33 years, but quite intense. As to your other point, I believe that the sun burns us, we do not burn the sun. Man, whether one or two rich men, or all 7.9 billion of us taken together, has no impact on the complex internal dynamics of the sun that result in the solar surface activity that warms and cools us, freezes us or fries us to a crisp.

  18. Anonymee
    Definitely something we all need to be paying attention to, its interesting how we are needing to keep stuff closer and closer under our watch and some sort od cover,,,
    Tough times coming, for many they are here

  19. Possibly consider growing some FOR the birds/bugs/wildlife, well away from your crops. Also, small birds may not have much meat on them but if they’re eating your food they can feed you (or your pigs).

  20. First comment here, just found this site today. I’m a 22 y/o, single, female- what can I realistically do to prepare for this. I live in an apt alone in a college town with a population of 67,000. Lease will be up June of 2022. What do I do?

    1. If you’re not preparing yet, start. One step at a time–a month of expenses, a month of food, a month of water (if that is possible in your situation) and so on. In the early stages, preparing for GSM is identical to any other disaster.

      The first step is to make sure you won’t be a burden on others for as long as possible. Then prioritize and work up from there.

      1. Lauren, Grest advice. Missed your comments when you were on the road. Sent the number.

      2. Thanks for the comment, you are all so responsive on here, that is so helpful! Looks like I’ll be starting with food and water storage! I already have been working on a healthy savings account of at lease 3 mo of expenses, so I guess I already have made a step in the right direction.

    2. MJ, Ken has built a marvelous compendium of prepping here. The community has contributed to make it a very robust and comprehensive guide to living a preparedness lifestyle. Recommend you read through it and see what resonates. Then you do you.

      1. It really is an incredible site, I’ve loved the topic of prepping and preparedness since I was younger, I have a few books on it that I’ve read cover to cover, but this site contains some great information I wouldn’t have found otherwise. I’ve spent the weekend reading over some posts and am continuing today. Thank you for your feedback, it is so appreciated.

        1. MJ
          There is tons of info here and a nice little community for discussing things, personally i feel most here are like family.
          Aloha,,
          đŸ˜ŽđŸ€™đŸ»

        2. It seems like such a kind, informative community! I’m so glad I stumbled onto it when I did :D Thanks Kulafarmer!!

    3. MJ – Congratulations on finding this site – it is truly a wealth of information! I suggest start by doing 2 things: 1. set aside some time every day to read articles that are archived on this site and you will learn quickly; 2. put together an emergency bag / backpack if you do not already have one. These bags are called by several names, a “go” bag, a “bugout” bag, etc. The idea is to have some clothes / shoes and supplies so that in the case of an absolute emergency you can grab the bag and be reasonably self sufficient for several days. That is one of the foundation steps to being prepared. Learn from others – there are many wise folks on this site who are willing to share and try to learn from people you know are down the road of life a bit further than you are today. It’s a great journey, challenging / demanding at times, but always interesting and exciting. I am a 68 year old female and am still Always Learning!

      1. Thank you for your reply, its nice to know there is a community that can lead by example with being prepared! I will work on making a sufficient go bag. I have been reading so many articles from the site lately, each one is more interesting than the next, makes it easy to read 3-5 a day! Again, thank you for leaving a comment they are so helpful to me and let me know I’m not alone in this.

  21. MJ you already made the first step. Is your family aware or concerned about a solar minimum? A TRUSTED group that shares the same goals gets far more done. Sadly Normalcy Bias is the greatest issue for most of us.

    Having a safe, cool dry place to set aside storage foods like dry beans, rice spices and such is inexpensive and give you options to stretch whatever foods you can get as well as simply good food when the shelves (or your wallet) is bare. LEARNING how to cook with such basics is next. For example I’ve been adding white beans to extend the meat in my chickens and pork dishes. Their mild flavor works well for that. A good beans and rice dish is nothing to turn your nose up at.

    Also by learning how to cook cheap food well frees up your money for other useful items.

    Stick around ask questions welcome.

    1. My mothers side of the family was actually raised Mormon, so they have some knowledge of food storage and being prepared for what may come. That being said, I am nervous to express to them that something may be happening in the next year or so. I know being prepared matters more than how I may feel about having to tell them, but I fear they may think I’m crazy.

      They have an excellent storage room in their basement I may have to take advantage of for dry food storage.

      Thank you for your reply, you all have great information for a beginner like me.

  22. MJ,
    welcome to the site.
    water, food and shelter are critical for survival, even for a few days. you have 7 months to get ready for some kind of transition, whatever it may be. start now, don’t wait until the last minute to get ready.
    if you have any questions there are many very good people here that can help.
    good luck!

    1. Thank you for the comment, nyscout.

      I will be gathering some knowledge from the site and making a game plan of sorts for myself, better late than never with this sort of stuff. Hoping to eliminate some of the fear I feel by preparing myself for whatever may come.

  23. Lots of bad news and terrible things happening these days – in politics, education, culture, and economics, both nationally and globally. I fear that these are exacerbating the adverse impacts of the GSM. For many people, I believe, concerns about these things will soon be forced to take a backseat to the needs of basic survival. I’d recommend looking over this compendium of events during the last GSM, the Maunder Minimum of 1645-1715. . . . wiki.iceagefarmer.com/wiki/History:_Extreme_Weather_during_the_Maunder_Minimum . . . .
    During Maunder 90% of the global population were farmers/lived on farms. Today, 55% of the world’s population is urban, as is 83% of the US. The sad story writes itself. The solar-forced reset is upon us. To paraphrase a famous quote, “History will be written by the survivors.”

  24. DJ5280, re “I’m thinking that the Turkey/Syria quake was the first of many “mega earthquakes” to come during this GSM.” From the literature I’ve found, increased volcanism is correlated with Grand Solar Minimums. However, tectonic plate earthquakes are more frequently correlated with peaks of solar activity during the normal 11-year solar cycles. This is thought to be due to sudden compression of the earth’s magnetic field due to significant solar surface activity, like what we’re seeing this cycle. That activity should begin to decrease around 2025-2026. The Modern Grand Solar Minimum encompasses three 11-year solar cycles, 25 (December 2019 – 2030), 26 (2030 – 2041) and 27 (2041 – 2053).

  25. The current ~11 year solar cycle – SC 25 – started December 2019/January 2020. SCs start at the low point of solar surface activity, rise to a peak in 5-6 years, then decline to another low point. SC 25 has been anticipated to peak in 2025-2026. The Modern Grand Solar Minimum is comprised of SCs 25, 26, and 27, running from December 2019 through 2053. The 5-year trough of the GSM, the period of the lowest solar activity, has been predicted for 2028 through 2032. This is the slide down to the lowest point of SC 25 and the beginning of the rise in SC 26. .. .. ..

    SpaceWeather had an interesting article up a few days ago (spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=12&month=04&year=2023) which says the peak in SC 25 will take place a full year early, from late this year (2023) into early 2024. Predictions about the downhill slide in SC 25 and into SC 26 are all over the place. Will the trough move up a year? Will it last only 5 years? Not known at this time. So, as much as folks are able, preparations to make it through the trough and come out raring to go on the other side, may need to be accelerated. It’s only prudent.

    1. Anony Mee
      What does all this really mean? In layman terms, simple english?

      1. Stand my Ground:
        My simply interp is it’s going to get reather toasty around the Ole Third Rock.
        And keep getting that way, or worse, for quite some time.
        We punky little humans and our climate change ain’t got nada on Ole Ma Nature.

        1. I wish i could post pictures,
          I have a good one that puts some perspective on this topic

        2. NRP & Blue
          You got that right. I’ve had my ass kicked by Mother Nature so many times I can’t countum.!!!

      2. Stand my Ground, Leaving out the astrophysics: Jet stream thus weather will continue far more variable than normal into mid-2050s. Sky will be much darker with clouds. So cloudy during trough (2028-2032) that vegetation may struggle to grow at all. Volcanism will increase, putting more particulates into the air through mid-2030s. Earlier winters, later springs, more and unpredictable floods and droughts, shortened growing seasons, failed cropping and harvesting, hunger, disease, and societal upheaval, from place to place, from time to time, for the next 30 years or so. Grim news. But even the 5 wise virgins knew nightfall was coming and prepared to make it through until morning.

        1. And yet, global warming persists. Oh yes, just not man-made. One of the many solar oscillations is the Hallstatt-Bray cycle. Lasts 2,100 to 2,400 years but can be as long as 2,600 years. Caused by variations in sun’s response to the orbits of the gas giants. Earth’s distance from the sun is slightly contracted then expanded during this cycle. Just a little squeeze. Earth warms for 1,050 to 1,200 or so years, then cools back down. We’re @ 400 years into the current warming cycle. Around 2600 earth will start to cool again. About 0.05C per 100 years. Funny that’s the temp rise that’s got the IPCC’s knickers in a bunch. But the UN has always been filled with short-term thinkers. Pretty good at disaster relief; pretty bad at policy.

        2. A while back Ice Age Farmer compiled a record of what folks experienced during the most recent grand solar minimum – the Maunder Minimum. This was 1645 – 1715. Interesting read. (wiki.iceagefarmer.com/wiki/History:_Extreme_Weather_during_the_Maunder_Minimum). This was a time, remember, when 90% of the people were farmers or lived on farms. Only 10% were town dwellers and engaged in off-farm work.

  26. Kula, Ha! Ha! I had fun writing a little tongue-in-cheek article titled Don’t they know that crickets fart too? (americanthinker.com/articles/2022/08/_dont_they_know_that_crickets_fart_too.html)

  27. It has been noted that large volcanic eruptions tend to coincide with solar minimums. The volcanic particulates exacerbate the sun-caused cooling. The 1816 Dalton minimum (not even a GSM, just a deeper regular minimum) became the Year Without a Summer due to the eruption of Mt. Tambora in 1815. Dr. Zharkova has co-authored a paper explaining this correlation. (arxiv.org/pdf/2203.03637v1.pdf) .. ..

    She was interviewed a few months ago. (youtu.be/LYOMKLDbeYE) The whole thing is very interesting. At one point, the interviewer asks when to expect increased volcanism during the Modern GSM. At @ 41:30 she discusses volcanic eruptions. She predicts the next volcanic maximum to occur 2031-2042. In the meantime, the frequency will gradually increase.

  28. Typically, a solar cycle starts with lowest sunspot number, ramps up to peak solar surface activity at the 5-6 year point then declines back to low point at end of the ~11 year cycle. The last few SCs have been decreasing in intensity but SC25 is not living up to predictions that it will be even weaker than SC24. SC25 started around Dec 2019/Jan 2020. In May this year it reached numbers that equaled the peak of activity (Solar Max) for SC24. In fact, a recent paper (frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspas.2023.1050523/full) predicts that SC25’s Solar Max will occur much earlier than previously thought – between late 2023 and early 2024. Easy summary is here (spaceweather.com/archive.php?view=1&day=13&month=04&year=2023#:~:text=According%20to%20their%20paper%2C%20Solar%20Max%20is%20coming,Solar%20Cycle%2024%2C%20which%20peaked%20back%20in%202014.) ..

    I asked Dr. Zharkova what the implications of reaching an early peak might mean for the trough (the dark cold years of 2028-2032) of the Modern GSM. She said “the early maximum is likely to mean that the descent phase will come earlier and could be rather long. The gsm already started but is not fully appeared yet. I guess, it will be more obvious during the descending phase of the cycle and during the minimum between cycles 25 and 26.” ..
    We will see. In the meantime, we prepare accordingly.

    1. Im really interested to truly observe the differences, and how the temps and such are affected

  29. Kula, Me too, intellectually. Must be a very exciting time to be an astrophysicist. Given what happened during the Maunder GSM (wiki.iceagefarmer.com/wiki/History:_Extreme_Weather_during_the_Maunder_Minimum) am seriously hoping it won’t be as bad as it might be. However, it will be on top of all the current troubles. It’s the compounding effect may intensify this disastrously.

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