[quote=“AllisonW, post:494, topic:3755”]Another consideration on scarce resources (like REEs, but this also applies to things like food) and the Cataclysm:
In some ways, the Cataclysm can actually reduce scarcity by way of one simple thing: there are fewer people clamoring for scarce resources. Far, far fewer. For all the problems with obtaining certain resources, like environmental dangers, with only a tiny fraction of humanity left to want resources or make an environmental impact, that alone will reduce or eliminate a lot of problems surrounding certain resources today.[/quote]
Maybe in the long term, yes. If you’re referring to hunting and foraging, however, you also have to consider the wildlife and that the people who are still there will take a lot more. In the short term, there are many, many people frantically getting supplies. In the three days that you spent in the shelter, the entirety of humanity will be scrambling to get what supplies they can, meaning that what’s left to salvage and scavenge is… not that much.