Local governments prepare for peak oil; cost-competitive local businesses

November 17, 2010

This special show highlights contributors to the Post Carbon Reader: Managing the 21st Century’s Sustainability Crises. (You can buy the book through your locally owned bookstore, order it online, or download selected chapters.)

John Kaufmann was lead staff for Portland, Oregon’s Peak Oil Task Force, and he has consulted with local governments around the continent on how to prepare for energy scarcity. He describes how local governments are planning for scarcity, and what they’re missing (hint: a lot).

Michael Shuman is Director for Research and Economic Development at BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local, Living Economies. He describes the surprising cost competitiveness of local businesses, despite government policies designed to destroy them.

Carl Etnier hosts.

Download the audio for this episode here


Tags: Building Community, Fossil Fuels, Media & Communications, Oil