This may not be quite the way that the Transition Towns movement envisaged it, but the effect is the same as the scenario of peak oil causing the wheels to come off the 'business as usual' economy. Having lived in South Yorkshire in the early 80's I know what recession is like - apprenticeships in British Steel in Sheffield plummeted from 200 one year to a handful the following year. Yet the governments around the world seem unable to think beyond pouring more money into the rotten system. Even at local level, councils including ours are pleading poverty because of rising fuel prices but dont have the cash or the political will to radically change the way we do things. Take for example yesterdays discussion among councillors and senior officers about sustainability targets for the coming year. Proposal to cut energy use in council buildings by 5% Yet we dont have a detailed energy audit of each building's uses. Is it achievable asks one officer. I point out that a 5% cut will still leave a 35% shortfall on the energy budget given the 40% price rise on last year, so shouldnt we be more ambitious, with a pledge than any savings over 5% can be retained by the department?
Politicians are still like a rabbit caught in the headlights of what is happening on the global economy. The solutions of Transitionistas, planting our own crops and building resilience in our local economies are right but can we put them in place quickly enough as the economy crumbles about our ears? Take a look at the film 'End of Suburbia' if you want to be convinced about what the effect of this current crisis and peak oil will be in the US -although produced in 2004 it clearly foretells the crisis that will come when the global markets realise that there are limits to growth because of finite resources - that is what is driving this forthcoming recession. See http://transitiontowns.org/York/NewsLinks for more about our local Transition towns campaign.

This catch phrase from the film 'What a way to go' by Tom Wabbitt seems to sum up the realisation dawning on more and more people of current state of the global economy. York in Transition showed this to half a dozen of us on Friday night, with a warning that it is a dark movie, two hours long. We were watching it as the first of a series of 'viewings' to help the planning group consider material that might be used for 'awareness raising' public events in York. This should be compulsory viewing for anyone who works in the financial sector, has a lifestyle depending on a car or thinks that there is a technical fix around the corner that means we can carry on our current western lifestyles.

Dont bother trying to see the whole film - but do check out the clips available on youtube : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8X8_wUoiq0&NR=1 (9 mins) The film makers talk about what they learnt from the experience at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFyI5ZYG_pE&NR=1 (26 mins) Perhaps it is no coincidence that the American people started to question the dodgy loans in 2007, when the makers of this film were doing a speaker tour of US cities.

 Depending on what the American politicians come up with in the next 24 hours, the scenarios in this film may come sooner , or a bit later. Time is running out for us to build our ark, get off the runaway train or whatever analogy you prefer to use. York in Transition is the local support group for people who want to do something about it rather than look the other way and continue in denial.

YiT's next public film night is on Oct 5th: FILM NIGHT - END OF SUBURBIA (Donation - for the hire of the projector) *
Sun 5 October 7.45 - 9.15pm, at the Winning Post Pub, Bishopthorpe Road / Nunthorpe Drive.
A showing of End of Suburbia, followed by a discussion.

A daring protest to intercept some of the coal destined to be burnt at the massive coal fired power station took place eariler this year. The protestors are due to appear in York Magistrates court on Oct 7th, with a protest planned in support of them. Can't seem to load up the poster, but spread the word anyway! see www.thecoalhole.org or www.yanc.org.uk or www.yancnews.wordpress.com

Climate campaign events coming soon: Dec 6th National demo, get your tickets now! New website coming soon yorkshireclimatecalendar.net

 Zero carbon clothes drying solution!

York In Transition Events  Sept/Oct 08

or http://transitiontowns.org/York/York

Sat 6 Sep 08 4-6pm          20's plenty Grange Street, off Fulford Rd Speed reduction BBQ, 24 Grange St (no cars please) Transition Talk with Edward Harland plus DVD Power of Community (free) Speed pledges, circus skills, face painting, chalk art, hair wraps.

Sun 14 Sep 8.30-10pm            Ladies clothes swap. Bring swapable, clean stuff to 24 Grange St, RSVP Anna 01904 654355 (free/donations)

Evenings of 18 & 19 Sep          Transition Training for Potential Awareness Talk Presenters at York Environment Centre, St Nicholas Fields - call Edward Harland 651323 £10 includes a copy of Carbon Detox by George Marshall

Fri 19 September 7-8pm          Transition Quiz and talk at the Friends Meeting House with Anna Semlyen and John Cossham (free/donations) Prizes to top team of 3

Sat 27 September 6.30pm        Games Night and Glut share. Come with an empty tummy and bring games, drink and food  - at least one ingredient of which was grown in York. Traditional card & board games plus any more unusual ones you can think of. From 6.30pm at 53 Hartoft St. All welcome. Free. RSVP Caroline Boreham on 670024

Sun 5 Oct 7.45pm-9.15film     DVD End of Suburbia and social at the Winning Post pub back room Bishopthorpe Rd. 50p min donation to projector hire.

Sun 12 October 8-10pm          Transition pub social at Lighthorseman pub Fishergate with Anna Semlyen  - come and chat about Transition

Sun 19 October 12.15-1.30     DVD Power of Community, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil plus short talk with Anna Semlyen, Friargate Friends Meeting House (free/donations)

Invite us to come to your group to give a talk - email us on yorkintransition@talktalk.net

The Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins.... from Anna 01904 654355

And more to come!!!

Yes, York is on the way to following the model of responding to the 'Peak oil' challenge. A steering group is running training sessions for speakers, organising slide shows, talks, socials and reading up on the issues. Cynics might say we have been here before in the early 90's when 'Agenda 21' groups sprung up around the country in response to the Rio summit (remember that was before Kyoto!) But this time is different - people no longer believe that the UN or governments can be trusted to take the lead - people themselves are taking the initiative, debating renewable options, personal actions that create resiliance to climate change and the end of cheap energy. The concept began less than 10 years ago in Kinsale in Ireland, then  in September 2005 Rob Hopkins moved to Totnes in Devon, to begin a PhD at Plymouth University looking at Energy Descent Action Plans, refining the model in such a way that they can be done anywhere. This involves looking at what he calls the Head, the Heart and the Hands of Energy Descent.

To quote Rob, "By the Head I mean the concepts of peak oil, arguments for and against localisation as well as any historical examples that we can learn from. The Heart refers to exploring how to actually engage communities in a positive and dynamic way, how to use peak oil as a tool for empowerment rather than leaving people feeling helpless. This part of the exploration is about how to actually facilitate change, and the dynamics of cultural transformation. The Hands refers to the practical aspects, could the UK become self sufficient in food and how? How much well managed woodland would it take to heat a town with efficient CHPs? Can local materials be used to retrofit houses?"

http://www.transitionculture.org/ website is designed in such a way as to allow the sharing of thoughts, insights and resources that he comes across during his research. He is designing an Energy Descent Action Planning process for Totnes which will begin in the summer, once the first year of research is out of the way.

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