Insight and inspiration in turbulent times.
Beyond the technical issues that occupy so much peak oil discussion lies the murkier realm of collective emotions and cultural narratives that so often blocks constructive action. A new book by Carolyn Baker, Sacred Demise, makes a valiant attempt to start a conversation about this dimension of our predicament — a conversation we desperately need to have.
It seems like we encounter quite a number of secular belief systems, such as:
1. The Oil Drum, and our message
2. Contemporary economic theory (several different flavors)
3. He who dies with the most toys wins.
4. Beautiful bodies are everything.
5. Technology will solve all problems…
Future Scenarios serves as a good introduction to the concept of future energy descent/climate change scenarios.
One thing that becomes apparent as one peruses the peak oil preparation sites is that there is no clear line between a doomer and a sensible person thinking about preparations for a post-peak oil world.
The Peakist
Book review: Future Scenarios by David Holmgren
In Review: The Road to Sustainability
Towards a New Sustainable Economy – Robert Costanza
LEARN: An Acronym to Avoid Societal Collapse
Energy Descent, and A World Without Property
A Farm for the Future
Planning for peak oil
Why the foodie press needs to do better work on seafood
Most Americans are dis-connected from everything essential for survival. We have lost meaningful connections with the sources of our water, food, shelter, clothing, with our fellow humans in community, with those we love, with The Mystery of Life. No wonder we feel dis-eased!
As the globalized economy withers – never to return in its present form in my view – we are bereft of that dense network of local shopowners, brokers of all kinds of goods, hometown bankers, small equipment repairmen who can restore broken goods to useful work and so many others whom we will be needing in the future that is now unfolding.
I call the project “Indigeny” – that is, becoming local to your place, creating a culture that can go on, not just ’a bit after the fossil fuels run out” but for generations, and one that results in a life worth having. Without this, we are merely minimizing losses – and all of us need more than that.
Innovating for a low-carbon age
Minimalist living in Silicon Valley
Jason Bradford: Household and community food security
Maggots as good as gel in leg ulcer treatments
Reuse stores make use of refuse
A weekly review from a UK perspective.
Organic price tags may be hard to swallow
Doomer Dinner Party – Challenge
How Might We Be Fed? Part Two
