The meeting I missed in the Subscription Rooms went well by all accounts - a press release below and item on the blog site here (and for photos see under files here). Today I've been fortunate enough to spend the day at Ruskin Mill with Transition Town folk from across the country and Richard Heinberg - I'll write a bit more in a while - plus this evening Richard gave a presentation to the Cabinet - more of that in another post as well - need some sleep as it has been a long day.
Richard Heinberg, the world-renowned expert on Peak Oil, addressed a packed public meeting at the Subscription Rooms last night (30th May). His talk, supported by authoritative graphics and statistics, explored the nature of our dependence on oil and the pressing need to reduce this both because of the imminent exhaustion of oil supplies and its impact on climate change.
His message was one of concern as well as of hope. He spoke of the greater opportunities for community and meaning that are offered by the sustainable economy we are moving towards. 'People who hold the knowledge of Peak Oil privately to themselves may well become depressed', he said, 'whereas those who join with others to change their local community experience elation'.
There was considerable discussion about the failure of political action, although at last night's meeting there were at least three District Councillors, together with the majority of the town council, the town's mayor John Marjoram and the local MP David Drew. During his visit Mr Heinberg also spoke with SDC cabinet as well as addressing a conference on local food organised by the Hiram Trust and Ruskin Mill.
The meeting was organised by Transition Stroud, a community group developing a low-carbon future for the Five Valleys with the slogan 'A journey to a low carbon high life'. Future events include an open day at Stroud Slad Farm, the new community-supported farm, and a Transition Party at The Space on 20th July. More information is available from the Transition website: www. transitiontowns.org/Stroud.
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2 comments:
"'People who hold the knowledge of Peak Oil privately to themselves may well become depressed', he said"
The oil running out is not in the least depressing. It is the best hope our children have for living reasonable and truly enjoyable lives.
The really worrying thing would be if a way of producing cheap, easy energy in large quantities DID turn up.
Then the Earth and human quality of life would be totally done for, as everywhere would just keep on getting more and more crowded, degraded and polluted ad nauseam.
Sadly oil running out will hit the poorest hardest - already lights are out in several poorer countries due to the increase in oil prices over the last couple of years - oil running out will also mean a return to coal which is much worse for climate change - no doubt the rich will continue to travel by 4x4 on biodiesel grown instead of food crops while the poor starve - however if we can make some of those significant changes now things will be much better in the future.....
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