Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
We have only a dwindling amount of time to build lifeboats—that is, the needed alternative infrastructure. It has been clear for at least 30 years what characteristics this should have—organic, small-scale, local, convivial, cooperative, slower paced, human-oriented rather than machine-oriented, agrarian, diverse, democratic, culturally rich, and ecologically sustainable.
European officials, blaming U.S. deficits for a surge in the euro, are unlikely to persuade Treasury Secretary John Snow to help support the dollar when the Group of 20 finance ministers and central bankers meet in Berlin.
The world is facing “an approaching storm” fueled by an impending energy crisis, and Americans need to drastically change their lifestyles to survive. That was the message delivered by Richard Heinberg in his keynote speech for the “First U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions”…
So, we thought it was important to once again take a look at the current and future oil situation, and its pertinence to design. More importantly, we want to offer some ideas that you as designers can use right now to make a difference.
Readers of Prof. Jim Heskett’s column respond to the question of how to prepare for a world without cheap oil. Contributors range from environmentalists to CEOs to analysts.
The sustainable development of the Russian mineral resources sector requires its demonopolization, according to Russian Natural Resources Minister Yuriy Trutnev.
Community Services, Inc., is a small organization with a big agenda. Concerned with what it perceives as an impending energy crisis, the Yellow Springs group wants to help lead the country toward sustainable living. (Coverage of First U.S. Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions).
Since the 1980s, Los Angeles has quietly built a mass-transit network — subway, commuter rail, light rail, rapid bus — that’s slowly taking strain off roads. Development around that network is taking off. New housing near transit hubs is in sharp demand by commuters like Thacher.
It may not be long before drivers of the Hummer – the steroid-laden sports utility vehicle favoured by the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger – get a fright when they look in their rear-view mirrors.
The similarities between the Vietnam and Iraq wars become more marked
with each passing week. We are now told that the U.S. forces have
surrounded Fallujah and are about to unleash a full-scale attack to
recover it from the insurgents.
North Carolina researchers are heading a national study to find the best ways to redesign communities so that Americans get out of their cars and travel by foot or bicycle.
The dollar could slide still further, in spite of hitting an all-time low against the euro last week in the wake of George W. Bush’s re-election, currency traders have said.
