I can proudly say that I'm about 80% locally food self-sufficient---you can't do it alone. I've learned that we need to network with others in our local communities to develop sustainable and varied food supplies. I'm about 60% locally energy self-sufficient. Friends and I are slowly accumulating the items necessary to convert waste cooking oil into biodiesel but I figure biodiesel is just a temporary measure because of all the outside inputs required. We are also planning to purchase a team of pregnant Belgian mares. Horses may not be practical for most people but I've worked with them for years and they fit well in my personal situation.

Other important things to consider are:
--local and natural health care in case the modern medical systems become overloaded or inaccessible. Improving our personal immune systems thru improved nutrition, exercise and reduced stress.

--eatable and medicinal herbs, wild foraging and wilderness skills.

--networking with local neighbors for mutually benefical assistance including developing a system of trading and bartering with neighbors to save money and increase community bonds.

--developing 'low tech' skills and facilities that can last for generations regardless of 'peak oil' and other changes to our society i.e: solar greenhouses & season extenders, root cellars, skills like knife sharpening, food processing, woodlot management and on and on.

---And ultimately to teach these basic skills to our children and grandchildren because it is within their lifetimes that extreme changes will occur.

I'm not saying that you 'Urbanites' need to immediately 'head for the hills'. But you do need to start considering what you would do JUST IN CASE............