An Overview of Transition

What’s going on in the world? Economic Instability & Inequity Global Warming Resource Depletion

What does it mean for communities? Climate Change responses cost $: Impacts on food production, water, infrastructure, transportation, carbon offsets! Economic inequity & instability: More debt & more volatility = less control More poverty pushes service demands Resource depletion: Forest & fisheries sectors decline Ecosystem disturbance & stress Peak oil = rising fuel costs Land competing demands and price

How’s the system working?

How did we get here? What are the actions and behaviours that have contributed over time to the conditions that we are now facing? (Peak Oil, Climate Change, Economic Instability & Inequity)

Resilience – can we adapt to change? 65 years from now? 65 years ago:

Transition towards resilience: From global to local From centralized to diverse (connected) Tight feedback: learn/adapt/learn/adapt From growth to steady state From consumption to self-reliance (re-use, repair, borrow, grow, make, share) From depletion to stewardship From individual to collective …

The 4 Recognitions of the Transition Movement. Life with less energy is inevitable and it is better to plan for it than be taken by surprise We have lost the resilience to be able to cope with energy shocks We have to act for ourselves and we have to act now By unleashing the collective genius of the community we can design ways of living that are more enriching, satisfying and connected than the present.

CONVENTIONAL ENVIRONMENTALISM THE TRANSITION APPROACH Individual behaviour Group behaviour Single issue Holistic Tools: lobbying, campaigning and protesting Tools: public participation, eco-psychology, arts, culture and creative education Sustainable development Resilience and re-localization Fear, guilt and shock as drivers for action Hope, optimism and proactivity as drivers for action Changing national and international policy by lobbying Changing national and international policy by making it electable The person in the street is the problem! The person in the street has the solution! Blanket campaigning Targeted interventions Single level engagement Engagement on a variety of levels Prescriptive – advocates answers and responses Acts as a catalyst – there are no fixed answers! Carbon footprinting Carbon footprinting + resilience indicators and actions Belief that economic growth is still possible, albeit ‘green’ growth. Designing for economic renaissance, albeit a local one!

1st Principle: Build & Hold Positive Visions for the Future Our popular culture offers future visions like star trek or star wars, mad max and the disaster theme (earthquake, insects, etc.). There is no positive vision that speaks to a gradual descent in energy use over time – that is oriented to stewardship – we need to create one!

2nd Principle: Make it real! “Totnes, the Nut Tree Capital of Britain”. Tree Planting, January 2007.

3rd Principle: Work with Special Interest Groups & other Partners Estates in Transition conference. June 11th 2007.

Example - Build a Bridge to Local Government World Cafe on Peak Oil and Climate Change with Local Councillors City staff on transportation, food (etc.) working groups Contributions to Local Development Framework.

4th Principle: Include everyone - honour the elders – youth ...

5th Principle: Attend to inner transition as well as outer Inner world individual psychology, world view, beliefs Outer world society, behaviour, institutions transition

Understanding ourselves – and each other What are our beliefs, assumptions and values that underlie the actions that have contributed to our current situation? Everyone thinks of changing the world, no one thinks of changing himself. Leo Tolstoy.

How can Transition movement support inner transition? Meet people where they are – encourage comfort zone – doing, planting, organizing Reconnect with nature Home groups – peer support Celebration, ritual, healing, encourage abundance views

6th: Let It Go Where It Wants to Solar projects Farm markets Car share co-ops Bike trails Housing retrofits Local currency Tree planting Car Share Club Green Music Festival… Recycled art show Transportation policies ?

And always – have fun!

Step One: Form an Initiating Group and Do Your Homework

Second Step: Awareness Raising…

Who needs what? Talks, films, information! Peak oil films, 11th hour Pre-contemplation Contemplation Preparation Change Talks, films, information! Peak oil films, 11th hour Is there a problem? What needs doing? Detailed reasons for change, and solutions “What will I do? and how?” Re-skilling; transition teams; take the bus Support, company, celebrations, deepening work “Keep going?” “Something else?” Stages of Change

Some towns: The Official Unleashing “Maybe they will tell stories about what happened in Totnes. Maybe this evening will be something that is the beginning of one of those stories”. Dr Chris Johnstone – TTT Unleashing Sept ’06.

Step Four: Form Working Groups Key to engaging citizens – let it go where it wants to Key to making it real Key to representing the depth & scope of the “transition” Scope: regional, neighbouhood, “bio-region”? Eventually working groups form the core group – the “governing” body & initiating group disolves.

Example: Local Food Directory

Example: The Totnes Pound

Example: Facilitate the Great Reskilling Skilling Up for Powerdown. Peak Oil / Climate Change, Permaculture Principles, Preserving Food, Building and Housing, Gardening, Water Conservation, Bike Maintenance, The Psychology of Change, Energy Descent Planning… etc.

Other group examples: Energy Food Government Policy Health and Wellness Heart and Soul Housing Introduction to Transition Local Economy Meaningful Work Outreach/Education Media Transportation Urban Design Business Neighbourhood Groups Regional Relationships Art and Celebration Green Building

Step Five: Establish Core Group Strategic Focus: Reps from working groups, government & …. ? Geographic: Regional Hubs – reps from areas, villages, urban “hoods” Blended: A bit of both at the table New hybrids are evolving

Step Six: Energy Descent Pathways Engage the community!! Start with a vision and then backcast Use scenario planning to work with uncertainty Incorporate creative activities – Transition Tales Integrate with municipal planning?

Where to from here? Send reps to a Transition workshop near you: www.cedworks.com//transition.html Powell River April 9/10: transitionpowellriver@gmail.com Read the Transition Handbook Watch Rob Hopkins on You Tube

Victoria Transition http//www.transitionvictoria.ning.com Email: transitionvictoria@gmail.com http://twitter.com/Transition_Vic