Because 21 December 2012 is the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mayan Long Count calendar, the date has been linked to many apocalyptic prophesies. The recent earthquake in Christchurch and spate of natural disasters elsewhere – Japan, Burma, Brazil to name a few, has ignited the question – are we nearing the end of the world? No matter whether the answer is yes or no, I think it would be smart of us all to be prepared. So get your emergency kits ready, just in case.