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Food Group -Energy Descent Planning first meeting

Submitted by NoniMc on 1 July 2008 - 6:05pm.

Date and time:

16 Jul 2008 - 8:00pm - 16 Jul 2008 - 10:00pm

Organizer:

Noni and Jacqui

Venue:

Bogan House

Price:

donation to cover cost of room

Facilitator:

Noni, T, and Jacqui

Brief description (3 lines max):

A first meeting to begin the process of planning the preparation of Energy Descent Pathways in relation to food. we will meet Jacqui, TTT's Energy Descent Planning Co-ordinator to start a dialogue about the best way forward. Please come and share ideas.

http://totnes.transitionnetwork.org/edap/scenariosinfo

TTT Energy Descent Pathways project has begun.

Over the next 12 months, this project will draw together an Energy Descent Pathways framework for 2009 – 2030. The EDP will weave together the various localization themes such as food production, energy supplies and travel within a resilient community set against a timeline of dwindling oil supplies and climate change. Views and feedback will be solicited from all sectors of the community during the project.Early input from those involved in TTT in particularly through the groups and projects is currently needed to piece together a basic skeleton to inform the work. We will use these workshops to explore ideas, information and issues coming from people in the TTT themed groups.Future Scenarios allow us to think beyond our usual constraints. We can indulge ourselves with a peek at the future through a kaleidoscope of different routes which over 20+ years could result in very different outcomes. There are many variables to consider; loosely grouped the Totnes Town scenarios we could find ourselves in 2030 could be:*Business as usual: Peak Oil Gloom.
*Enlightened Transition: Resilient Communities.
*Hitting the Wall: Climate Change Catastrophe.
*The Impossible Dream: Techno-fix.
(see below for more details of these theoretical scenarios) This round of workshops will take us through the process of examining the assumptions that underpin our ideas about the future and we will discuss the variables that are most likely to influence the next 20+ years. Each workshop will focus on the theme of the individual TTT group. Participants will be invited to piece together their ideas and views on alternative futures as part of the EDP process.What thoughts and ideas do you have? Please come and share them at these workshops.Contact: Jacqi Hodgson, EDP project Coordinator, TTTOutlines of some possible scenarios:Business as usual: Peak Oil Gloom. ‘Progress’ continues unabated. High investment in roads and airports etc. Manufacturing crippled. Energy Rationing. Waste disposal very expensive - incineration widely considered an energy source. Frequent power cuts. Economic growth continues to be the national primary goal. Unemployment rises. Poverty and homelessness increases. Social unrest.

Enlightened Transition: Resilient Communities.

Strong community response sustains an even economy. Investment from all sectors enables development of broad range of renewable energy supplies. Local suppliers overtake supermarket chains in sales. Massive decline in imports and exports. Cycle lanes replace car lanes. Electric buses and trains run on renewable energy. Smart homes with zero energy, emissions or wastes. Community gardens, allotments, orchards and woodlands are part of everyone’s life. 4 day working week. Higher employment levels. Happier, fitter and more skilled society.

Hitting the Wall: Climate Change Catastrophe.

The full reality of climate change runaway brings its wrath of poverty, bankruptcy, homelessness and misery. Survivalists, religious fanaticism and increasingly fascistic political regimes become a familiar part of life. Heat waves, storms and droughts frequent. Fishing stocks collapse. Population declines. Waves of refugees from southern Europe arrive. Major extinctions in the natural world. Water rationing. Society under severe stress.

The Impossible Dream: Techno-fix.

As yet unknown technology provides significant solutions to the energy crisis. Tradeable Energy Quotas (TEQs) a part of life. High investment in wind farms and smaller scale renewable energy systems. Deep underground carbon sequestration sumps drilled. New planning legislation over-rides visual amenity and conservation concerns. Large techno structures abound. Energy efficiency is high. Energy prices soar. Traffic congestion and road rage familiar scenes.