Future Scenarios May 26, 2008
Posted by Graham in : Human Ecology, Peak Oil, Permaculture, Powerdown , 1 comment so farThanks to Adam Grubb (Fenderson), founder of Energy Bulletin for sending me the link to David Holmgren’s new site Future Scenarios- Mapping the cultural implications of Peak Oil and Climate Change, which is launched today. You can read the press release here. The site is an important new resource developing the ideas of permaculture co-founder David Holmgren who has done more than anyone to articulate an ecological understanding for the human situation and promoting practical sustainable design solutions. In terms of bringing together a synthesis of ecological science, cultural anthropology, thermodynamics and sustainable design, Holmgren surely ranks as one of the great thinkers of the modern and post-modern world:
“Let us act as if we are part of nature’s striving for the next evolutionary way to creatively respond to the recurring cycles of energy ascent and descent that characterise human history and the more ancient history of Gaia, the living planet. Imagine that our decendants and our ancestors are watching us.”
The site contains a wealth of analyses and ideas to help understand the world we live in and prepare for a range of likely scenarios that we can see unfolding as the price of oil climbs and humanity passes the historical point of peak Energy.
See also Permaculture Principles
Rob Hopkins on Permaculture and the Kinsale College May 21, 2008
Posted by Graham in : Kinsale, Permaculture, Transition Towns , 1 comment so farTo mark the end of an era and the retirement of John Thuillier as director of the Kinsale FEC, Zone5 has managed to secure this exclusive and enlightening interview with Rob Hopkins who founded the unique 2-year course in Practical Sustainability 7 years ago. Thanks also to Rob for sending on some photos from the early days of the course which I have placed though the interview along with some recent ones from the past year.
When did you first move to Ireland?
I moved in September 1996, from Bristol. I had just finished my degree and my second child was about 6 months old. From a house in the middle of Bristol to a mouse-overrun farmhouse up a lane near Skibbereen. I had lived in cold houses before, but this one was COLD. From the moment I arrived though, I absolutely loved it. (more…)
Graduation at Kinsale College May 19, 2008
Posted by Graham in : Kinsale , add a commentEnd of another year and this time end of an era as John and Margaret Thuillier retire from Kinsale College. John has been a fine director of the college and is leaving a remarkable pedagogical legacy with a thriving Further Education College with many successful courses including of course the unique Practical Sustainability course.
Left: John and Margaret at the Graduation ceremony; Right: John plays to the crowd
Congratulations to all the second year Permaculture students on all their hard work and contributions to the college, the permaculture course, Transition Towns Kinsale and many other projects. May you now be unleashed on an unsuspecting world and carry on your good work wherever you may be.
2nd year Permaculture Graduates Left to right from back: Shane Gannon, Klaus Harvey, Graham, David neavyn, Mikael Jedhamre, Will Flanagan; Susie Cornally, Jeannie Timony, Michelle Nixon; Front: Tara Kramer, Cathie Clinton, Virginia Stearns, Diane Rogers, Naomi Dowds, Tara O’Donoghue,Victoria McDonagh
Likewise the first year students pictured here with their Permaculture Design Certs, congratulations and many thanks for all your hard work and contributions both in the college and out, and look forward to seeing some of you next year.
Back row L to R: Luc Bouriel, Anja Pawelec, Kevin Dalton, Niamh Dempsey, Brian Brennan, Ed O’Leary, James barry, Tony Crotty, Seth Sutker, Rob O’Brien, Chris Michalowicz; Middle: Cormac McHugh, Susannah Murphy, Saskia Walter,Siobhan Cronin, Cathal Larkin, Ronan Philips, Deidre Duffy, Lea Miklody, Christine Disant, Paul Grimes; Front: Emily Shakespeare,Gabriella Perslow, Aileen O’Sullivan, Caroline Flavin, Maria Buitenhuis, Alan Morkan
A big thankyou is also due to Margaret and Kathleen for keeping the whole show going; all the other tutors and students who make up the community of the college and make it a truly convivial place to work;
Saturday also saw the last night of this years play directed by Belinda Wild and performed by drama students, the riotous farce by Feydeau A Flea in Her Ear
Coming soon: exclusive interview with Rob Hopkins on how the Practical Sustainability course got started
Transition Town Kenmare May 2, 2008
Posted by Graham in : Peak Oil, Transition Towns , add a commentThere was a great turn out for the first meeting to start the Transition process in Kenmare, Co. Kerry, which took place Thursday night May 1st at the Brooklane Hotel.
The meeting was organised by Oonagh Comerford who did a great job in inspiring people to come out. I gave a short talk about Peak Oil, the Kinsale college and permaculture, and how the Energy Descent Plan came to be written, sowing the seeds for the Transition network in the UK and now Ireland. We also watched an Australian documentary Four Corners- Peak Oil? which includes a trip to Ballydehob and an interview with Colin Campbell. It was great to see a thicket of hands go up when I asked how many had home gardens- Kenmare is clearly well placed and ahead of the game in that respect. And there is already a small group who have started a community garden so congratulations all for that. Discussions during the meeting included asking how much land precisely would each person need to feed themselves- “five acres and a cow” was one response- to what might we substitute for wheat as supplies decline. There will be a follow-up meeting on June 4th when the film The Power of Community- How Cuba Survived peak Oil will be shown -we promise!
