Act: Inspiration

Urban Right-to-Farm Laws

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One of the things I’ve been saying for a long time is that we’re going to need to address zoning questions early in the process of adaptation. In an increasing number of rural areas, “Right-to-Farm” laws are in effect – that is, there are laws that protect farmers who are engaged in the normal practice of agriculture, when suburbanization or urbanization enters the picture. The assumption is that if it is part of the normal practice of agriculture, the neighbors can’t complain.

Dark world of declining oil supplies expected by peak oil community

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A recently conducted survey of members of the global ‘Peak Oil Community’ has revealed wide-ranging negative expectations for the world in the twenty first century but also optimism on an individual basis. The findings show a view of the world drastically affected by declining global supplies of oil, expected to occur from 2007 to 2013. The effects of peak oil suggested will be wide ranging, with increases in crime, war and nationalism, and decreases in urban working, health and global population levels.

Food & agriculture – Oct 1

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-Mark Thurstain-Goodwin Responds to Colin Tudge on ‘Can Totnes and District Feed Itself?
-Under the Clinton Global Initiative, Growing Power takes its grassroots-agriculture model to Africa
-Americans turn to backyard chickens for food, security
-Could Food Shortages Bring Down Civilisation?
-Critic’s Notebook: From earth to table, in more ways than one

Solutions & sustainability – Sept 30

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-Can one woman save Africa?
-Africa doesn’t need a green revolution. It needs agroecology
-Human-made Crises ‘Outrunning Our Ability To Deal With Them,’ Scientists Warn
-The Australian town that kicked the bottle
-Energy executives offer ideas on stimulus

Peak Moment 152: The Placemeant Project: Stories of Why “Where” Matters

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Kate Magruder feels that “Opinions make walls. Stories make bridges.” Using narrative, music and images, Placement Project participants create short stories that not only empower the tellers, but also elicit respect, admiration and tenderness from listeners. Kate hopes that telling our stories can build an honest sense of community in her town of Ukiah and beyond.

A Letter from a Friend in Africa

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Marc Wegerif is an old school friend of mine from when I grew up in Bristol. After school he moved to South Africa and was very involved in activism there, and he now lives in Tanzania and works for Oxfam. He recently got back in touch and I sent him a copy of The Transition Handbook. Subsequently he sent me a long and thoughtful letter, with his reflections on the book, and on how it might relate to Africa. The whole question of what Transition might look like in a developing world context is something we have rarely explored at Transition Culture, and Marc has given me permission to reprint his letter here by way of initiating that discussion.

wsRadio Interview with Jan Lundberg on Health Care for a Post-Peak Oil World

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As readers know, I’ve written about the difference between healing and today’s petrochemical-drug oriented medical system. The insurance being debated is seldom about true health care, especially not for post-petroleum living. Should Baby Boomers be worried only about government programs, or also some of their modern conveniences taken for granted? Some of these trappings of our troubled civilization hardly work and are toxic.

Common environments, Diggers, and Climate Campers

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Thoughts on the relationship between food issues, rural movements, and Climate Camps. To be more specific: this post mainly compares the distinct focuses and limitations of the Diggers’ movement toward agricultural autonomy, and the Climate Campers’ rallies and interventions against coal plants, airport expansion projects, and other commercially-driven operations.