Principles and Overview of Transition

Permaculture and Resilience Systems are the foundations of Transition

Permaculture Ethics People Care Earth Care Fair Share A tool box for sustainable living

Resilience The ability of a being, a community, a system to absorb shocks (peak oil, climate change and economic insecurity) and quickly adapt to them.

PEAK OIL GLOBAL WARMING ECONOMIC INSTABILITY THE LONG EMERGENCY

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

From Oil Dependency …to Local Resilience Unleashing the Collective Genius of the Community

David Holmgren Co-Founder of Permaculture Concept

Our choice…  We’ll be transitioning to a lower energy future whether we want to or not. Far better to ride that wave rather than getting engulfed by it.

The Transition Concept A town/village/community/city using much less energy and resources than presently consumed, could, if properly planned for and designed, be more resilient, more abundant and more fulfilling than life as we know it today. A town/village/community/city using much less energy and resources than presently consumed, could, if properly planned for and designed, be more resilient, more abundant and more fulfilling than life as we know it today.

How to get from where we are now to an abundant, fulfilling, and resilient future?

Transition Inner world individual psychology, world view, beliefs Outer world society, behaviour, institutions Inner and Outer Landscapes ?

Visioning our Future What would a post carbon, world look like? What would a post carbon, world look like?

Transition Process - Overview

Set up an initiating group Set up an initiating group Raise awareness Raise awareness Lay the foundations (partnering with exisiting organizations) Lay the foundations (partnering with exisiting organizations) Organize a Great Unleashing Organize a Great Unleashing Form working groups Form working groups Use Open Space Technology Use Open Space Technology Develop visible, practical projects Develop visible, practical projects Facilitate the Great Reskilling Facilitate the Great Reskilling Build bridges to local government Build bridges to local government Honor and engage the elders (and the Youth!) Honor and engage the elders (and the Youth!) Let it go where it wants to go Let it go where it wants to go Create an Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) Sustainable Community Plan Create an Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) Sustainable Community Plan

Set up an Initiating Group and Plan its Evolution from the Outset Questions arising : Do we want to do this? Can we, who are ‘we’ anyway? Is the TT model the right one for us? What else is out there? Who do we approach? Will in work in our town? How often shall we meet? What’s our first step?

Awareness Raising…

Lay the Foundations: Engage Existing Practitioners - Community Organizations

Organize a Great Unleashing

How to translate all that Interest and Excitement into Action Use Open space to create community think tanks Establish working partnerships Set up e mail lists Invite participation Will you join us? Leading to…..

Form Working Groups  Energy  Food  Heart and Soul  Building  The Arts  Health  Economics  Transport

“Totnes, the Nut Tree Capital of Britain”. Create Practical Manifestations- Demonstration Sites

"You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." Buckminster Fuller  TRESOC  Community Owned Wind Farm  Waste to Power  Micro Hydro  Solar Water Heater Challenge  Allotments  Local Food Directory  RE Workshops  Changing the Dream Workshop  Skilling Up for Powerdown  Transition Tales  Oil Vulnerability Auditing  Totnes £  Car Shares  Seedy Sunday  Business swap shop

Local Currency-The Totnes Pound

Working with Business December ’06. Oil Vulnerability Auditing workshop with Simon Snowden of Liverpool University

Build a Bridge to Local Government

Facilitate the Great Re-Skilling

Honour the Elders

Let it Go Where it Wants To

Create Energy Descent Plan Begin from where you are Create Vision Begin with the Future and work backward - - – from the goal to the present. Identify Resources Identify Practical Steps

Awareness Raising Health Lay Foundation Heart and Soul Food Economy Energy Honor the Elders Practical Manifestations Great Re-skillingBuild Bridge to Local Government Arts Buildings Transport Great Unleashing Inclusivity Authenticity Collaboration Community EDAP Steering GroupInitiating Group Let It Go Where It Wants To Ethos World Cafe Tools Open SpaceTeleconferences Transition Network Fishbowl Positive Vision and Back-casting Work With Business

What makes the Transition Model Work?  The Transition is Both Inner and Outer  Utilizes the Power of Hope and Optimism  Creates a Vision of an Abundant Future  Shows How Simple, Practical Changes Can Make a Difference Changes Can Make a Difference  Creates A Collective Response

 Awareness Raising attracts people who are interested or already taking action  Grass roots, Bottom-up and Adaptive  Solution is Scaled to the Problem  Easy to Replicate

“Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day I can hear her breathing.” - - Arundhati Roy

FORMING AN INITIATING GROUP Early Stages of Transition

The 7 ‘Buts’ 1. We’ve got no funding 2. “They” won’t let us 3. Turf wars with other green groups 4. No one cares about the environment 5. It’s too late anyway 6. I don’t have the right qualifications 7. I don’t have the energy

How does it start?

First priorities  Decide who’s in the group  Get to know each other  Set intent—vision, mission, aim  Establish ground rules or guidelines: ◦ How will you make decisions? ◦ Who will do what? ◦ How long will you continue? ◦ How often will you meet?  Then get the group working well

Stages of Group Formation mourning

 For each event or activity you do there is a cycle of:  Don’t forget to celebrate!!! Performing (re)vision plan evaluate do celebrate

 Organising—booking rooms, DVDs, speaker, projector and screen, refreshments, facilitator, etc.  Facilitating meetings—agenda, inclusion, etc.  Running talks  Facilitating, dealing with process  Publicity—press, website  Managing information— lists, website  Public speaking  Networking with existing organisations—contacts  Connected with people in your community  Leadership  Relationship skills—group dynamics, managing conflict  Passion and commitment Skills Needed

Sustaining the group  Keep your learning going arrange training for the group… share skills, books, articles, information… support each other in attending courses… put on events that you want to go to! arrange training for the group… share skills, books, articles, information… support each other in attending courses… put on events that you want to go to!  Find activities which deepen you and the group Joanna Macy, Pachamama or other workshops… outdoor group activities… shared meals with no agenda!! Joanna Macy, Pachamama or other workshops… outdoor group activities… shared meals with no agenda!!  Review your balance of giving and taking take steps to keep yourselves sustainable!! take steps to keep yourselves sustainable!!