This documentary from the BBC is one of the most impressive things I’ve seen on TV for a long time. Highly recommended.

Wildlife film maker Rebecca Hosking investigates how to transform her family’s farm in Devon into a low energy farm for the future, and discovers that nature holds the key.

With her father close to retirement, Rebecca returns to her family’s wildlife-friendly farm in Devon, to become the next generation to farm the land. But last year’s high fuel prices were a wake-up call for Rebecca. Realising that all food production in the UK is completely dependent on abundant cheap fossil fuel, particularly oil, she sets out to discover just how secure this oil supply is.

Alarmed by the answers, she explores ways of farming without using fossil fuel. With the help of pioneering farmers and growers, Rebecca learns that it is actually nature that holds the key to farming in a low-energy future. (from BBC)

This is one of the best peak oil movies. A must see documentary.

Last Friday the rampART was used by locals to celebrate EID which marks
the end of Ramadan.  In Islam, believers are called upon to cease all
consumption of food and drink between the hours of daylight for 30
consecutive days.

Meanwhile, todays date, October 16th, is celebrated by the Food and
Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations as World Food Day. This was
the date in 1948 when the right to food was first formerly recognised by
the global community as a basic human right.

Sixty years on, there is massive malnutrition around the world. Millions
of children in India die each year with a shocking 47 percent of children
under 5 suffering from malnutrition and regularly going to bed hungry. One
in eleven children born in the country are currently dying before reaching
their sixth birthday, with half of these deaths attributable to
malnutrition.

Closer to home, every European eats ten kilograms a year of artificially
irrigated greenhouse vegetables from southern Spain, with water shortages
the result. In Vienna the amount of unsold bread sent back to be disposed
of each day is enough to supply Austria’s second-largest city, Graz.
Around
350,000 hectares of agricultural land in Latin America is dedicated   to
the cultivation of soybeans to feed Austria’s livestock alone, meanwhile a
quarter of the local population starves.

> FOOD NOT BOMBS

The FnB group in Whitechapel started off in spring 2007. Every week, we’re
going skipping food, mainly vegetables, in several locations, notably some
wholesale markets. Hard to imagine how huge is the amount of wasted food
over there! When we get lucky, we get also bread and sweets (not always
vegan though!) from other places.

On the saturday morning, we use the rampART kitchen to cook some nice
vegan meals: usually mash, stir fry, miso stew, cakes etc. We even had
successful fries!\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>The food is then given away in a small local park. Hungry people can be\u003cbr /\>local families, homelesses, activist friends, random people passing by\u003cbr /\>etc. Maybe 50 or 60 people can be fed every saturday. There is also\u003cbr /\>usually a sound system and a free shop (mainly clothes).\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Hopefully, another Food not Bombs group will be starting in Brixton soon,\u003cbr /\>spreading the movement all over london as it is spreading all over the\u003cbr /\>planet!\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>> THURS 8PM\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>The above sets the scene to the two films featured at our cinema this\u003cbr /\>week….\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>1. OUR DAILY BREAD\u003cbr /\>\u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”http://www.ourdailybread.at/\” target\u003d_blank\>http://www.ourdailybread.at/\u003c/a\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>A wide-screen tableau of a feast which isn’t always easy to digest – and\u003cbr /\>in which we all take part. Welcome to the world of industrial food\u003cbr /\>production and high-tech farming! To the rhythm of conveyor belts and\u003cbr /\>immense machines, the film looks without commenting into the places where\u003cbr /\>food is produced in Europe: monumental spaces, surreal landscapes and\u003cbr /\>bizarre sounds – a cool, industrial environment which leaves little space\u003cbr /\>for individualism. People,   animals, crops and machines play a supporting\u003cbr /\>role in the logistics of this system which provides our society’s standard\u003cbr /\>of living.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>2. We Feed the World\u003cbr /\>\u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”http://www.we-feed-the-world.at/\” target\u003d_blank\>http://www.we-feed-the-world\u003cwbr /\>.at/\u003c/a\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Austrian filmmaker Erwin Wagenhofer traces the origins of the food we eat.\u003cbr /\>His journey takes him to France, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Brazil and\u003cbr /\>back to Austria.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>This is a film about food and globalisation, fishermen and farmers,\u003cbr /\>long-distance lorry drivers and high-powered corporate executives, the\u003cbr /\>flow of goods and cash flow–a film about scarcity amid plenty. With its\u003cbr /\>”,1]
);

//–>some very
successful fries!

The food is then given away in a small local park. Hungry people can be
local families, homelesses, activist friends, random people passing by
etc. Maybe 50 or 60 people can be fed every saturday. There is also
usually a sound system and a free shop (mainly clothes).

Hopefully, another Food not Bombs group will be starting in Brixton soon,
spreading the movement all over london as it is spreading all over the
planet!

> THURS 8PM

The above sets the scene to the two films featured at our cinema this
week….

1. OUR DAILY BREAD
http://www.ourdailybread.at/

A wide-screen tableau of a feast which isn’t always easy to digest – and
in which we all take part. Welcome to the world of industrial food
production and high-tech farming! To the rhythm of conveyor belts and
immense machines, the film looks without commenting into the places where
food is produced in Europe: monumental spaces, surreal landscapes and
bizarre sounds – a cool, industrial environment which leaves little space
for individualism. People,   animals, crops and machines play a supporting
role in the logistics of this system which provides our society’s standard
of living.

2. We Feed the World
http://www.we-feed-the-world.at/

Austrian filmmaker Erwin Wagenhofer traces the origins of the food we eat.
His journey takes him to France, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Brazil and
back to Austria.

This is a film about food and globalisation, fishermen and farmers,
long-distance lorry drivers and high-powered corporate executives, the
flow of goods and cash flow–a film about scarcity amid plenty. With its
food and answers the question what world hunger has to do with us .\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>> SAT 20TH\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Ritual Celebration of Queers as Sexual Social Spiritual Beings\u003cbr /\> an evening of celebration through ritual, eating, dancing, singing,\u003cbr /\>  laughing, music and merry making\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Time for a ritual celebration!\u003cbr /\>STILL THE DEBATE IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ABOUT US CARRIES ON,\u003cbr /\>FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM GROUPS CONDEMN OUR VERY\u003cbr /\>EXISTENCE. EVEN LEADING BUDDHISTS DO NOT RECOGNISE US AS NATURAL AND\u003cbr /\>SPIRITUAL. THIS EVENING IS OFFERED AS A CHANCE FOR QUEERS TO STAND UP\u003cbr /\>AND DECLARE FOR OURSELVES\u003cbr /\>- WE ARE SEXUAL, and our sex is natural, joyful and can be\u003cbr /\>transcendent, healing and holy\u003cbr /\>- WE ARE SOCIAL, we create communities built on love, trust and respect\u003cbr /\>AND WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS: we do not need the approval of religious\u003cbr /\>authorities to be who we are and to grow into our true spiritual nature\u003cbr /\>WHETHER WE ARE LOVERS OF NATURE, WORSHIPPERS OF DEITIES, DEVOTEES OF   SEX\u003cbr /\>AND ALTERED STATES – WE ARE CELEBRANTS OF LIFE AND WE ARE BORN TO   LOVE,\u003cbr /\>TO MAKE LOVE AND TO RISE INTO LOVE ETERNAL.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>This invitation goes out to all spiritually minded queers. Here there\u003cbr /\>will be no competition between faiths, no arguments about gods or   lack\u003cbr /\>of them. Here you will find respect for each other\’s paths,   support\u003cbr /\>where it is needed and communion with like-minded free-\u003cbr /\>thinking fabulous faeries\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>gathering from 7pm till 12pm\u003cbr /\>ritual start 8pm, finishing with a few moments silence followed by music,\u003cbr /\>singing, dancing, open mic\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>donation at door, refreshments available\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>london\’s queer spirit circle has been offering space for over three\u003cbr /\>years for sharing, ritual and celebration to gays, lesbians, trans   and\u003cbr /\>all queer folk who see themselves on a path of spiritual growth   that is\u003cbr /\>”,1]
);

//–>unforgettable images, the film provides insight into the production of our
food and answers the question what world hunger has to do with us .

> SAT 20TH

Ritual Celebration of Queers as Sexual Social Spiritual Beings
 an evening of celebration through ritual, eating, dancing, singing,
 laughing, music and merry making

Time for a ritual celebration!
STILL THE DEBATE IN THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND ABOUT US CARRIES ON,
FUNDAMENTALIST CHRISTIAN AND MUSLIM GROUPS CONDEMN OUR VERY
EXISTENCE. EVEN LEADING BUDDHISTS DO NOT RECOGNISE US AS NATURAL AND
SPIRITUAL. THIS EVENING IS OFFERED AS A CHANCE FOR QUEERS TO STAND UP
AND DECLARE FOR OURSELVES
- WE ARE SEXUAL, and our sex is natural, joyful and can be
transcendent, healing and holy
- WE ARE SOCIAL, we create communities built on love, trust and respect
AND WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS: we do not need the approval of religious
authorities to be who we are and to grow into our true spiritual nature
WHETHER WE ARE LOVERS OF NATURE, WORSHIPPERS OF DEITIES, DEVOTEES OF   SEX
AND ALTERED STATES – WE ARE CELEBRANTS OF LIFE AND WE ARE BORN TO   LOVE,
TO MAKE LOVE AND TO RISE INTO LOVE ETERNAL.

This invitation goes out to all spiritually minded queers. Here there
will be no competition between faiths, no arguments about gods or   lack
of them. Here you will find respect for each other’s paths,   support
where it is needed and communion with like-minded free-
thinking fabulous faeries

gathering from 7pm till 12pm
ritual start 8pm, finishing with a few moments silence followed by music,
singing, dancing, open mic

donation at door, refreshments available

london’s queer spirit circle has been offering space for over three
years for sharing, ritual and celebration to gays, lesbians, trans   and
all queer folk who see themselves on a path of spiritual growth   that is
does not require justification or acceptance by\u003cbr /\>religious authorities. The Circle is a meeting place for beings on\u003cbr /\>independent spiritual paths and those exploring religion – this is a\u003cbr /\>melting pot of queer spirituality from which the simple yet\u003cbr /\>astounding magic of our natural selves emerges.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>the queerdome is a constellation of individuals travelling in their\u003cbr /\>sexuallity. we\’ve been roaming the country at various festivals\u003cbr /\>(Sunrise, Buddhafield, Big Green Gathering) over the last few summers\u003cbr /\>offering a safe rendezvous for lesbian, gay, trans, bi, intersex,   faerie\u003cbr /\>and other folk curious or queer of any age and gender; we   welcome all\u003cbr /\>who are drawn to our hearth. creating a space where we   can share deeply,\u003cbr /\>sit in silence or explore through workshops,\u003cbr /\>healing sessions, enjoy queer company, find support and information   and\u003cbr /\>take tea. QUEER DOME seeks to honour and respect the land, all   nature\u003cbr /\>and all peoples, it is a place for connection and love from   which we can\u003cbr /\>contribute to the fun, magic, sexuality and spirit of   the whole planet.\u003cbr /\>help keep the queerdome on the roam by contributing   your energies.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>> OCT 27TH\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Anarchist Bookfair after party at rampART\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Offering something of a break in tradition, the noborders/rampART\u003cbr /\>benefit party after the anarchist book fair is an alternative to   hanging\u003cbr /\>out in the pub. Open from 6pm it\’s a chance to hang out with   friends\u003cbr /\>while supporting grassroots campaigns and a rare opportunity   to listen\u003cbr /\>to conscious hip-hop and rap with acts from the USA,\u003cbr /\>Greece, Scarborough, Manchester, Bristol and London.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Films, music and drinks from 6pm. Acts from 9pm\u003cbr /\>DJ Rubbish + boogieknight + figure of speech + literal X + the edger   +\u003cbr /\>Drowning Dog + Malatesta\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Suggested donation £5\u003cbr /\>”,1]
);

//–>innately connected to their sexuality. We are queers whose   spirituality
does not require justification or acceptance by
religious authorities. The Circle is a meeting place for beings on
independent spiritual paths and those exploring religion – this is a
melting pot of queer spirituality from which the simple yet
astounding magic of our natural selves emerges.

the queerdome is a constellation of individuals travelling in their
sexuallity. we’ve been roaming the country at various festivals
(Sunrise, Buddhafield, Big Green Gathering) over the last few summers
offering a safe rendezvous for lesbian, gay, trans, bi, intersex,   faerie
and other folk curious or queer of any age and gender; we   welcome all
who are drawn to our hearth. creating a space where we   can share deeply,
sit in silence or explore through workshops,
healing sessions, enjoy queer company, find support and information   and
take tea. QUEER DOME seeks to honour and respect the land, all   nature
and all peoples, it is a place for connection and love from   which we can
contribute to the fun, magic, sexuality and spirit of   the whole planet.
help keep the queerdome on the roam by contributing   your energies.

> OCT 27TH

Anarchist Bookfair after party at rampART

Offering something of a break in tradition, the noborders/rampART
benefit party after the anarchist book fair is an alternative to   hanging
out in the pub. Open from 6pm it’s a chance to hang out with   friends
while supporting grassroots campaigns and a rare opportunity   to listen
to conscious hip-hop and rap with acts from the USA,
Greece, Scarborough, Manchester, Bristol and London.

Films, music and drinks from 6pm. Acts from 9pm
DJ Rubbish + boogieknight + figure of speech + literal X + the edger   +
Drowning Dog + Malatesta

Suggested donation £5
\u003cbr /\>> NEWS IN BRIEF\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>Thefts of materials from the roof have somewhat set back work making the\u003cbr /\>area a nicer and more useful space, but we\’ll get there eventually.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>There is something of a civil war going on between the squatted houses in\u003cbr /\>the street at the moment with a number of people being violently evicted\u003cbr /\>by others in their household.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>The warehouse building opposite the rampART has been emptied and\u003cbr /\>developers are beginning to convert it into flats which eying up our side\u003cbr /\>of the street.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>–\u003cbr /\> This is a message to those subscribed to the rampART mailing list.\u003cbr /\> To sign-off of subscribe see \u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/rampart\” target\u003d_blank\>http://lists.riseup.net/www\u003cwbr /\>/info/rampart\u003c/a\>\u003cbr /\> See \u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”http://rampart.co.nr\” target\u003d_blank\>http://rampart.co.nr\u003c/a\> for more info about the project and events.\u003cbr /\>     \u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”http://www.myspace.com/rampartlondon\” target\u003d_blank\>http://www.myspace.com/rampart\u003cwbr /\>london\u003c/a\>\u003cbr /\> map \u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x\u003d534641&y\u003d181230&z\u003d0&sv\u003dE1+2LA&st\u003d2&pc\u003dE1+2LA&mapp\u003dnewmap.srf&searchp\u003dnewsearch.srf\” target\u003d_blank\>http://www.streetmap.co.uk\u003cwbr /\>/newmap.srf?x\u003d534641&y\u003d181230\u003cwbr /\>&z\u003d0&sv\u003dE1+2LA&st\u003d2&pc\u003dE1+2LA\u003cwbr /\>&mapp\u003dnewmap.srf&searchp\u003cwbr /\>\u003dnewsearch.srf\u003c/a\>\u003cbr /\> 15 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (near Whitechapel, off Commercial Rd)\u003cbr /\> 07050 618445 \u003ca onclick\u003d\”return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)\” href\u003d\”mailto:rampart@mutualaid.org\”\>rampart@mutualaid.org\u003c/a\>\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>WOULD YOU LIKE FREE SMS ALERTS ABOUT LONDON SOCIAL CENTER GIGS AND EVENTS?\u003cbr /\>Text \’follow londonscn\’ to 07624801423 then reply with a name as instructed.\u003cbr /\>\u003cbr /\>\u003c/div\>”,0]
);

//–>proceeds to NoBorders and rampART

> NEWS IN BRIEF

Thefts of materials from the roof have somewhat set back work making the
area a nicer and more useful space, but we’ll get there eventually.

There is something of a civil war going on between the squatted houses in
the street at the moment with a number of people being violently evicted
by others in their household.

The warehouse building opposite the rampART has been emptied and
developers are beginning to convert it into flats which eying up our side
of the street.

–
 This is a message to those subscribed to the rampART mailing list.
 To sign-off of subscribe see http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/rampart
 See http://rampart.co.nr for more info about the project and events.
    http://www.myspace.com/rampartlondon
 map http://www.streetmap.co.uk/newmap.srf?x=534641&y=181230&z=0&sv=E1+2LA&st=2&pc=E1+2LA&mapp=newmap.srf&searchp=newsearch.srf
 15 Rampart Street, London E1 2LA (near Whitechapel, off Commercial Rd)
 07050 618445 rampart@mutualaid.org

WOULD YOU LIKE FREE SMS ALERTS ABOUT LONDON SOCIAL CENTER GIGS AND EVENTS?
Text ‘follow londonscn’ to 07624801423 then reply with a name as instructed.

This is one of the best videos about Peak Oil because rather than focussing on the potential doom and gloom, it shows how communities can work together to implement solutions

Watch it now!

UPDATE: watch it here.

Check out this video will Bill Mollison, co-founder of the Permaculture concept, explaining The Permaculture Concept…

On google video

As a youtube playlist

Another great film about Peak Oil and the impact of oil on society.

The player below includes all 9 parts as a youtube playlist

For more info check out http://www.crudeimpact.com/

Another “must see” documentary for all you folks out there.

We’ve screened this one too

(PS – this is a 52 minute edit of the original 78 minute full length version available on DVD from http://www.endofsuburbia.com/ )

And here it is in not so good quality but with subtitles (looks like French or something)

So, we’re both a day late, but Gloria and I somehow decided that every day in May was going to be inspirational!

Each day Gloria will a post about an inspirational person, and I’ll highlight an inspirational project. Her first person is Maya Angelou, and my first project is…

Transition Towns
The Transition Towns project was initiated by permaculture teacher of 10 years, Rob Hopkins.

Focussing on the central issues of peak oil and climate change, Transition Towns are “towns that are participating in the transition to a more localised post-peak-oil future”.

This process normally involves going through the following 10 steps (now 12 steps, see here):

1. Raise awareness of peak oil and climate change (often by showing films like The End of Suburbia and An Inconvenient Truth)
2. Lay the Foundations. This is about networking with existing groups and activists and stressing that this Transition Town initiative is not a process of duplicating their work but of requesting their input in a new way of looking at the future.
3. The Official Unleashing. The aim of this event is to generate a momentum which will propel your initiative forward for the next period of its work.
4. Form Groups. You can’t do this on your own. Part of the process of developing an Energy Descent Action Plan is that of tapping into the collective genius of the community. One of the most effective ways to do this is to set up a number of smaller groups to focus on specific aspects of the process.
5. Use Open Space. Open Space Technology is an extraordinary tool. It has been described as ‘a simple way to run productive meetings, for five to 2000+ people, and a powerful way to lead any kind of organization, in everyday practice and ongoing change’.
6. Develop Visible Practical Manifestations of the Project. It is easy to come up with ideas, harder to get practical things happening on the ground. It is essential that you avoid any sense that your project is just a talking shop where people sit around and draw up wish lists. Your project needs, from an early stage, to begin to create practical manifestations in the town, high visibility signals that it means business.
7. Facilitate The Great Reskilling. Very few people still have the skills a more resilient society needs. This is where your Transition Town initiative comes in.
8. Build a Bridge to Local Government. Whatever the degree of groundswell your Transition Town initiative manages to generate, however many practical projects you manage to get going on the ground and however wonderful your Energy Descent Plan is, you will not progress too far unless you have cultivated a positive and productive relationship with your local authority.
9. Honour the Elders. There is a great deal that we can learn from those who directly remember the transition to the age of cheap oil, especially the period between 1930 and 1960.
10. Let it Go Where It Wants to Go and Reflections….In essence, although you may start out developing your Transition Town process with a clear idea of where it will go, it will inevitably go elsewhere. You need to be open to it going where the energy of those who get involved want to take it. If you try and hold onto the idea that it will be a certain way it will, after a while, begin to sap the energy that is building to do certain things. It is what is so exciting about the whole thing, seeing what emerges.

So there you have it. Transition Towns (of which there are now many) are very inspiring projects.

For more info check out Rob Hopkin’s blog Transition Culture, these excellent articles on Treehugger, and have a read through the Transition Initiatives Primer (pdf) and the Kinsale Energy Decent Action Plan (pdf)

Also, check out this short video from Transition Town Lewes:

Last night, when I should’ve been asleep, I watched these video clips and was left totally inspired.

I strongly encourage you to watch them too. Its great stuff!

You should also buy the book:

[amtap book:isbn=1887208070]

UPDATE: The book in bullet points from David Korten’s new site:

An 2 minute excerpt from David Korten’s (author of “When Corporations Rule the World) inspiring and lavishly-illustrated presentation of his new book “The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community“:

A full-length DVD of this presentation is available at http://www.peakmoment.tv

David Korten on “The Great Turning: From Empire to Earth Community” at the Veterans for Peace 2006 National Convention in Seattle:

A 2.5 minute mash-up:

The full 30 minute presentation:

More
Peak Moment 48: A 28 minute interview with David Korten. The planet is quickly confronting us with limits to the exploitative, dominator system of the past 5000 years. David Korten implores us to replace dominator-control stories with new stories — affirming life values of cooperation, community and interdependence.

An important documentary about GM food and Monsanto.

(sadly no longer available in full on google video, so here is an intro from youtube)

As Celsias put it, “this is a must-watch for anyone who eats (um… yes, that means you).”

“There is a revolution happening in the farm fields and on the dinner tables of America — a revolution that is transforming the very nature … all » of the food we eat.

THE FUTURE OF FOOD offers an in-depth investigation into the disturbing truth behind the unlabeled, patented, genetically engineered foods that have quietly filled U.S. grocery store shelves for the past decade.

From the prairies of Saskatchewan, Canada to the fields of Oaxaca, Mexico, this film gives a voice to farmers whose lives and livelihoods have been negatively impacted by this new technology. The health implications, government policies and push towards globalization are all part of the reason why many people are alarmed by the introduction of genetically altered crops into our food supply.

Shot on location in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, THE FUTURE OF FOOD examines the complex web of market and political forces that are changing what we eat as huge multinational corporations seek to control the world’s food system. The film also explores alternatives to large-scale industrial agriculture, placing organic and sustainable agriculture as real solutions to the farm crisis today.”

See also our earlier posts on Supermarket Secrets and Tescopoly