How are things here?
well environmentally ...we have lost about 60 percent of our wildlife in the past 40 years due to climate and human impact.
many northern species are currently having a hard time of it with climate change
a report just released found 300- 500 toxins in polar bear blood
Hell ...in the arctic all the world's contaminants come home to roost.
PCBs, lead, arsenic, you name it.
and just climbs up the food chain to the inhabitants...
it is a slow time bomb for them.
try telling a planet to stop....eh?

hm....climate change has been messing with our weather severely here.
the seasons don't move quite right anymore, are too mild or severe depending....so I have watched over the years.

food prices are expected to go up for Canadians by 4-6% next year due to climate and economic factors.
Even though Canada signed on with the new NAFTA trade agreement, the USA has not stopped its tariffs on us, so it hasn't helped either Americans or Canadians ...and it simply hurts both in Trumps stupid idea of Tariffs solving problems...
Likewise due to the fact the USA is flooding the market with oil, the price has bottomed out and now there is a serious need to get our own oil to the the coast to sell overseas, so the imperative for a pipeline is there.
Economically it is hurting Canada,
Then of course GM is restructuring for electric ...and is shutting plants in USA and Canada and so losing many jobs, which also doesn't help economically.

That being said.
Personally, I have a nice acreage excellent for my garden, a running downhill stream and large pond at the bottom, fit for fish , and the stream for a pelton wheel for electricity, which I hope to have finally finished in the next couple of years.
Gabriola Island is great, it has always been a diverse and self contained community.
We have farms putting out local produce, and meats.
We have all kinds of skilled crafters, weavers, and artisans.
Actually there was talk a decade or so ago, that my island tried to get a community hydro electric project so we were power self sufficient ...but the provincial electric governance wouldn't allow it at that time.
who knows in a few years they may ...

Many folks here ..never leave the island....have no desire to...and I don't blame them at all.

For myself, I am skilled enough with the practical work I do in antler that tools and hasps and clasps and all sorts of gee gaws would be needed if we really did ever end up being a self contained society here...
So ..as long as I have enough time to get everything set up properly...
Then I should be fine...