Transition Towns
So far in our history, the world has always produced enough oil to meet the demand.
At times, countries have deliberately slowed production to maintain a steady growth in the price of oil.
Now it is clear that demand will soon exceed supply and the price will rise dramatically. Fuel prices have gone up 40% since March 2009.
This will impact on every facet of our lives, and we can choose to wait until it hits us, or we can plan for it and construct a smooth "transition" from life with low oil prices to life where energy use is a key factor in decision making.
In 2005 Robert Hopkins gave his Permaculture students in Kinsale, Ireland, the task of writing an energy descent plan for their town. They managed to convince the Kinsale council to adopt the plan unanimously as the towns five year plan. After moving to Totnes in Devon, Robert repeated this process and co-created the Transition Town Movement.
This is not a concept adopted by just a few eccentrics. There are over 350 Transition Towns around the world including 200 in the UK. Last year "The Transition Handbook" came fifth in MPs' lists of summer reading.
Typical Aims of Transition Movements
-
Raise awareness of the consequences of Peak Oil and Climate Change
-
Form a framework linking interested and active groups
-
Compile an Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) for the community, considering (amongst others) transport, heating and lighting, food-miles, water use, recycling and re-using of products and materials.
-
Empowering local people to respond to these challenges.
Transition Films
The first detailed film about the Transition movement filmed by those that know it best, those who are making it happen on the ground. We are buying the DVD for a public showing or you can view online
Two short (8mins and 7 mins) on line films about Transition Towns here
We also have "An Inconvenient Truth" DVDs available to borrow .
The "Story of Stuff" and "Cap and Trade"
Transition Books
An excellent source of facts about the energy problem.
Review by Jonathan Leake Sunday Times
Other Sources
