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Mears urges people to take lessons from nature

Ray Mears has become something of an authority on survival thanks to several popular TV series, but he suggests that many of us won't stand a chance in the future climate crisis unless we learn to adapt.

In an interview with New Scientist, the bushcraft expert revealed his concerns reside not with planet earth, but with the future of the human species.

"The planet will be fine, whether we are is another matter," Mears said.

"What's interesting is that the last time we faced climatic fluctuations as a species, we were hunter-gatherers and could up sticks and move. We can't do that now, and we're only just realising that the result of a static lifestyle is that you have to take greater care of the planet."

It's this failure to adapt that Mears sees as the main threat to the human race as he calls upon peeople to learn lessons from nature.

"Adaptable things do better - the more specialised you become, the more marginal you are," he said.

So what's the secret to surviving climate change?

For Mears, people shouldn't suddenly start picking up bushcraft skills in the hope of surviving, as these won't help in cataclysmic crisis. Instead, the key to survival is all in the mind.

"You need a sense of humour, because things go wrong. Don't fear nature. Survival is about retaining a positive mental attitude. If you are in a difficult situation try and understand it."

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