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)

Nice little video about an organic cafe in India where you pay what you like.

“This video is made by students of NID – Ahmedabad,India.
To know more about Seva Cafe Visit us as : www.sevacafe.org or mail me at whiznitesh@gmail.com…..My name is Nitesh Jain, Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India
Love all, Serve all
Living is Giving
Guest is God

ADDRESS :
Seva Cafe
4th Floor,
Shppers Plaza,
Opp. Muncipal Market,
C G Road, Ahmedabad
Ph: +91 79 32954140″

If we’re addicted to oil, our twelve-step program should begin with admitting that we have a problem. As the price of oil creeps higher, finding new energy sources is more important than ever. But the search for alternatives, combined with environmental disruptions, is putting new pressures on other essentials like food. There are some things that are going well in the world. Right now, the economy is not one of them.

http://www.goodmagazine.com/

Animation & Design by Chris Weller
Directed by Max Joseph
Music: “Genesis” by Justice

http://www.myspace.com/etjusticepourtous

http://www.christopherweller.com
http://www.chimponachain.com

Dear Troops

It has been a month involving the police, a death, new guerrilla cells, poppy planting at the Ministry of Defence, bulb planting in the hundreds and lots of very smelly envelope stuffing.

POLICE
It’s been a while since the police took an interest in our gardening (usually they’re more concerned about the suspect car bomb I drive around in). Two jittery officers jumped up onto the traffic island with us in response to reports we were stealing plants. I applied the now much-tested approach of smiling, frowning and launching into a strident explanation. I recommend you do the same. In this instance we were planting a lot of daffodils (Narcissi ‘Carlton”) “We are volunteer gardeners etc” is the line to take. They asked the obvious question about permission and in the same matter of fact tone I told them “no we didn’t have permission from Southwark Council, but we saw no reason why any one would object to use turning this miserable patch into something more colourful”. It helped that our nine-foot sunflowers were still in bloom as compelling evidence that our crime was a good one. They left so swiftly after this I didn’t even have time to take their photo.

A DEATH
I was very sorry to hear of the death of a passionate, inspiring and victorious guerrilla gardener in New York. In the early 1970s Adam 276 was a Green Guerilla, one of the original troop who illicitly transformed big pockets of land across Manhattan. He helped create many of the established community gardens that are enjoyed today. His home turf was the Clinton Community Garden (http://www.clintoncommunitygarden.org), a thriving bit of heaven in Hell’s Kitchen. I met Adam last year and we spent most of one sunny day talking about guerrilla gardening and walking around his patch. Although the big battles at the Clinton Community Garden were over elsewhere he continued to champion green community space. Fortunately his death was not a casualty of gardening at the front line but at 53 his loss is still tragically well before the autumn of his life.

NEW CELLS
There are several enterprising new pockets of guerrilla gardening springing up around the world. Take a look at the following for ideas or to get involved:

MILAN – A small new group have transformed a few patches: http://www.guerrillagardening.it/
SANTA BARBARA – A solo guerrilla transforming a huge space near a railway line: http://in-this-life-like-weeds.blogspot.com/
NEW YORK – A very organised network into guerrilla tree-planting and in some cases working with the authorities: http://www.treesnottrash.org/

POPPY MEMORIAL
In Britain people wear paper red poppies to remember soldiers killed in war. In London four guerrillas gardeners decided to plant some instead – around the lawns of the Ministry of Defence without permission. Their short film can be viewed here: http://www.indymedia.org.uk/media/2007/10//383053.mp4

BULB PLANTING
We’ve planted hundreds of daffodils, allium and tulips over the last month in London. For those in climates like ours it is still not too late to dig some more in. Bulb planting is an immensely easy and satisfying form of guerrilla gardening, dare I say it, almost fool proof. November 1st was No More Landmines Day (http://www.landmines.org.uk/) but why not make tomorrow your day for planting something explosive in a good way?

SMELLY STUFFING
This year’s Guerrilla Gardening London Lavender Pillows are on sale. 200 were made but are selling swiftly. The lavender was grown illicitly on public land near Westminster Bridge Road and were stitched and stuffed by nibble green fingered guerrillas. Please visit the website for more details. They make great Christmas presents and I certainly don’t mind stuffing these sweet smelling pillows into lots more envelopes. http://www.guerrillagardening.org/gglavender.html

As it says at the beginning it is very dense, but overall I think it is really rather good.

For more info about the movie visit the website

Trailer

Peak Moment 72: “What a Way to Go” – Meet the Filmmakers

It was on google video but seems to have gone:

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.

Watch it now!

UPDATE: watch it here.

On google video

As a youtube playlist

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)

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: