Flowers in the Autumn September 30, 2007
Posted by Graham in : General , add a commentDespite the cold clear nights of last week, the unusually warm weather continuing into October seems to be producing strange anomalies in the garden. This is a photo taken of flowers on a “Katy” apple tree yesterday. 
Over the past few months, each successive report from the scientific community seems to be outdoing the last in dire predictions of approaching a “tipping point” with the possibility of a sudden, abrupt flip into a whole new climate regime - possibly within the space of a few years- increasingly likely. For an excellent review of the latest situation see Sharon Astyk
This week Ive also enjoyed reading this discussion of human’s place in natural succession: are we preparing the way for the next stage in a natural succession and thus hastening our own demise, just as pioneers help create the conditions for canopy tree species which then over-shade them?
Living Through the Energy Crisis September 23, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Peak Oil , add a comment“Living Through The Energy Crisis- Preparing for a Low-Energy World” is a new booklet just published for ASPO by Dr. Colin Campbell and myself.
The first part- The Nature of the Energy Crisis by Dr.Colin Campbell puts the geological case for peak oil in the format of a trial presided over by a judge who calls various witnesses to give their evidence for the approach of a peaking in global oil production. This section also includes an analysis of the UK situation, and an outline of the Oil Depletion Protocol, Dr. Campbell’s proposed international response.
My own section Preparing for Powerdown looks at some of the implications of the situation, the dangers of oil dependency, and suggestions for starting a community powerdown response.
The third sections has contributions from Andy Wilson detailing how he reduced his domestic energy consumption and switched to an off-grid wind-turbine; and Davie Philip who describes Ireland’s first large-scale planned low-carbon development, The Village.
Below is an extract from my section: (more…)
Help needed on Cord-wood House September 21, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Green Building , add a commentUpdate October 7th 2007: Jackie and Emma are now close to completing the walls on the house and have enough help at the moment, so thanks to all those who responded, but they may still need a hand in November.
Jackie and Emma, friends of mine in North Mayo, are urgently looking for volunteers to help with the completion of the cob/cordwood walls in their new house.
They have been doing most of the work themselves over the last four months but now with the weather turning and the days for drying getting shorter they would appreciate some extra hands for the last few weeks. Once the walls are completed they can be protected for the winter. If anyone is able to go up there and work for your keep please phone Jackie and Emma on 096 45353
The construction technique is the same as for my own roundhouse Anyone can learn it and its great fun!
Powerdown in the College September 20, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Peak Oil, Permaculture , add a commentI wasn’t able to attend the ASPO conference in Cork this week because it coincided with the first two days of the new term at Kinsale, but I was able to catch up with some of the speakers first in Bantry at the Sustain West Cork event, and then in the college where we were visited by Rob Hopkins 
making his first return since passing on the mantel of permaculture teacher to me two years ago- Davie Philip of Cultivate, Albert Bates from The Farm, Tennessee , and Jonathon Dawson from Findhorn.
Students past, present and future crowded into my classroom to hear Davie set the context of the Powerdown movement in Ireland, 
Albert giving a fascinating account of the origins of The Farm with its convoy of trucks criss-crossing the US in the 1960s, and Rob treated us to a few early photos from the college, the genesis of the Energy descent Action Plan and how it has lead to the meteoric rise of the Transition Towns Network in the UK.
College principle John Thuillier also said a few words of appreciation for the course, the students past and present and the importance of developing sustainable education.
It was a great start to the new term and has set us up well for an exciting year of permaculture.
David Strahan- Interview at Cool Earth September 16, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Geo-politics, Peak Oil , add a commentDavid Strahan, author of The Last Oil Shock gave me this fascinating interview at the recent Cool Earth event in Dun Laoghaire
You’ve said that you believe Peak is still a few years off…
The narrowing envelope of forecasts is from about now to 2020; ASPO have 2010- there is a range.
Those who think we are there already- there is a lot of this on the Oil Drum- are going on the basis that crude oil and lease condensate production- the most tightly defined definition of oil- is marginally lower than July 2005- and total liquid production is actually lower than it was this time last year; and the reason that total production is lower than it was is that OPEC production is lower.
So the burning question I think is whether the OPEC reduction is voluntary or involuntary. You will find a lot of people on the Oil Drum assume that this must be involuntary. We do hear a lot of dark noises coming out of Saudi Arabia about the number of drilling rigs doing so-called “work-overs” on existing wells and It does seem there is difficulty at the northern end of Garwhar; but I’m not so sure the reduction is involuntary. (more…)
Renewable Energy Cannot Sustain a Consumer Society September 9, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Peak Oil, Permaculture, Renewable Energy , 6commentsBook Review:
Ted Trainer -
Renewable Energy Cannot Sustain a Consumer Society
Springer 2007 hbck 197pp
Ted Trainer, of the University of New South Wales, has made a valuable contribution to the literature of energy and resource depletion with his new book Renewable Energy Cannot Sustain a Consumer Society.
The title says a lot I think. With the focus of most mainstream debate on peak oil and energy being on the supply side- the oil is running low so what are we going to use instead?- Trainer brings a refreshing approach in which he provides a detailed and technically comprehensive analyses of existing renewable energy options- including wind, solar thermal, solar electric, biomass and energy crops, and hydrogen, as well as a look at nuclear and the issue of storing energy- and concludes:
“…we could easily have an extremely low per capita rate of energy consumption, and footprint, based on local resources- but only if we undertake vast and radical change in economic, political, geographical and cultural systems.” (more…)
DIY Solar Panel September 6, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Green Building, Renewable Energy , 2commentsI have recently installed a DIY solar panel on the Permacabin (Timber framed cabin with all perma-cons):
This has been constructed using clip-fins from CAT and following instructions in their booklet Solar Water Heating- A DIY Guide by Paul Trimby. (more…)
