Reinventing Collapse June 27, 2008
Posted by Graham in : General, Overshoot, Peak Oil, Population, Powerdown, Yurts, book review, collapse, survivalism , 2commentsBook Review
Reinventing Collapse- The Soviet Example and American Prospects
New Society 2008
When I met Bill Mollison at the International Permaculture Convergence in Croatia three years ago, all he wanted to talk about it seemed was cannibalism. He had traveled in Russia after the breakup of the Soviet Union and told me that, in Moscow, the joke was, if you go to the provinces, be careful what they serve you up for meat.
There had been widespread hunger and general hardship, resulting in a dramatic decline in life expectancy, an underclass of the homeless and unemployed and those unable to care for themselves, and a loss of hope in the future.
Despite this, things could get much worse in an even more energy dependent USA.
“Reinventing Collapse” is perhaps the most important and disturbing- as well as amusing- peak oil book you will read. A Russian emigre who had the opportunity to observe the collapse of the former Soviet Union from the vantage point of someone living in America, Orlov sees a similar process unfolding in an America all but oblivious to how quickly things may change there. Peak oil will result very soon in the vast nation beginning to fall apart at the seams as the lifeblood of its economy drains away with no backup available. Big systems like agriculture are so energy intensive that they will quickly collapse and there is barely any resilient, self-reliant communities left. (more…)
Sustainability Volume 3 is Out June 20, 2008
Posted by Graham in : Environment, General , add a commentThe new issue of Sustainability is out with a focus on food security and also bringing world-class articles and reports on:
-the economic crisis
-global food security
-horse power
-bringing back a canal and rail system to Ireland
-renovating an old cottage
-Irish transition Initiatives
and much more.
Available from your local newsagent/wholefood store or from the Sustainability Institute:
office@sustainabilty.ie
Road Trip June 18, 2008
Posted by Graham in : Gardens, General, Permaculture, Renewable Energy, Yurts , add a commentA recent trip up country took me first to Westport where I called in on the Sustainability Institute, home of the Irish Sustainability Magazine.
Right: Sustainability editor Andy Wilson hard at work
Andy Wilson’s creation of the Sustainability Magazine has been a remarkable achievement, bringing a much-needed serious journal into the Irish environmental landscape. Starting up a new magazine from scratch is no mean feat and the scholarly and well-researched articles on a wide range of topics is to be greatly welcomed. The third issue is out this week. (more…)
Irish Transition Network April 17, 2008
Posted by Graham in : General , 2commentsLast Saturday at the Powerdown Symposium at Cultivate saw the inaugural meeting of people from around Ireland interested in starting a Transition process in their town.
More than 60 people attended the meeting with a dozen or more towns represented.
The main meeting was lead by Ben Bragwyn co-founder of the UK Transition Network who spoke about the origins of the concept and took us through the 12 Steps to Transition. Davie Philip will co-ordinate the network here through the Cultivate Centre.
A discussion took place as to what the criteria would be for joining and how “local” could the process be made in terms of specific process. Ben assured us that the key thing to remember for a Transition town - as opposed to, say, a purely Climate Change group - is building community resilience. This is a response that recognizes the wider implications of fossil fuel dependency and works to create sustainability rather than reduction of emissions.
Davie Phillip of Cultivate writes:
“The first step in getting the Irish network up and running is getting a few more communities recognised by the Transition Network in the UK. There are currently only two official Transition initiatives in Ireland, Kinsale and Hollywood. From the meeting it is clear that Newbridge, Monaghan, Cloughjordan, Kilkenny and Tralee could all be very close to fulfilling the steps to be recognised officially.”
Cultivate are also running a series of Transition Training events to give communities some of the tools they need to follow the process- the first one is already fully booked but check the Cultivate website for updates.
Christmas Tree Planting for TTK December 11, 2007
Posted by Graham in : General , add a commentMany thanks to Liz Creed of Transition Towns Kinsale for sending me this photo of a recent fruit-tree planting on a community site in Kinsale.
About 20 fruit and nut trees were planted by the Transition Towns group on a communal green last weekend. More are planned. Congratulations to all involved, it’s a great project.
The Great Magic Water Conference November 16, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Environment, General, Science and Rationaltiy, water , 4commentsAnatomy of a Scam
A few years ago I attended an extraordinary event in Co. Monaghan which I still refer to as “The great magic Water Conference”. Organised by local environmentalists to promote the “discoveries” of an outfit called Perfect Science, it drew together an extraordinary mix of council water engineers, environmentalists and water diviners, pendulum swingers and other purveyors of New Age religion.
I wont reveal the names of those involved in setting up the conference; some of them are old friends I havn’t seen for a while. Ill refer to the main organiser as “John”- not his real name. John had managed to gain the support of the County Council who opened the event and reputedly put up money to pay for it. (more…)
Film Review- What a Way to Go November 4, 2007
Posted by Graham in : Environment, General, Geo-politics, Peak Oil , 4commentsFilm Review:
What a Way to Go- Life at the End of Empire
“If we knew all the facts, we’d have discarded the myth of the techno fix a long time ago. To my eye, our crisis, at its deepest levels, is a crisis not of technology, but of meaning and purpose… “Talking about this is the first step. Without this catastrophe is inevitable.”- Tim Bennett
What a Way to Go is a groundbreaking movie.
I watched this week for the first time with a few friends, most of whom have been watching Peak Oil films and discussing the issues around them for much of the past three years. (more…)
Crop Circles, Burkas, and the like November 3, 2007
Posted by Graham in : General, Science and Rationaltiy , 13commentsAnyone interested in crop circles -are they human-made hoaxes? or is there some other-worldy paranormal explanation? should check out this thread
The debate falls into two camps: on the pro-paranormal side, very detailed examination of the patterns and microscopic changes in the cellular structure of the wheat stems etc is presented as evidence that they could not have been man-made. A rather obscure alternative theory to do with plasma and the “universal subconscious” is presented instead. (more…)
Alanna Moore’s reply November 1, 2007
Posted by Graham in : General, Permaculture, Science and Rationaltiy , 1 comment so farJust read Graham’s blog….
He’s entitled to his opinion. But so are others entitled to have other ideas. Not everyone likes every article in a mag and no-one is forced to read them. (more…)
Comments are Now Open October 30, 2007
Posted by Graham in : General , add a commentA technical problem with posting comments on Zone5, probably caused by faeries playing mischief, has now been sorted. Please join the lively debate re “Woo-Woo in Permaculture”
