Transition Island Blog

I found a wonderful idea that brings the global problems home to each of us.   

Climate Change seems almost to be a global Act of God - a natural event, not preventable by any human action - even though we know we have caused some global warming and have in place the Kyoto Agreement, etc.

Peak Oil describes the oil-based lifestyle as addictive - this idea goes beyond that. It’s more like we’ve all caught a psychiatric illness.

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The Conference is a great success! Well-designed, well-attended and well-addressed by relevant speakers.

Organised by the Island Strategic Partnership (ISP) to launch the Eco-Isle Vision, their many speakers repeatedly brought the message home - we WILL get there.

journey planning

Setting the scene were David Pugh, speaking as leader of the Isle of Wight Council, and John Owen, Chair of the ISP. They reminded us that we have to commit to our destination before we plan the journey. And what an ambitious destination!

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Man inhabits two worlds.

“One is the natural world of plants and animals, of soils and airs and waters which preceded him by billions of years and of which he is a part.

“The other is the world of social institutions and artefacts he builds for himself, using his tools and engines, his science and his dreams to fashion an environment obedient to human purpose and direction.

human experience

“The search for a better-managed human society is as old as man himself. It is rooted in the nature of human experience. Men believe they can be happy. They experience comfort, security, joyful participation, mental vigour, intellectual discovery, poetic insights, peace of soul, bodily rest. They seek to embody them in their human environment.

cramped & haunted 

“But the actual life of most of mankind has been cramped with back-breaking labour, exposed to deadly or debilitating disease, prey to wars and famines, haunted by the loss of children, filled with fear and the ignorance that breeds more fear. At the end, for everyone, stands dreaded unknown death. To long for joy, support and comfort, to react violently against fear and anguish is quite simply the human condition.” (page 35)

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A Japanese man has created a wave-powered boat.

To test it, he has set out from Hawaii for Japan, hoping to complete the 7,000 km (4,400 mile) journey using only the power of the waves beneath his boat.

The catamaran-like boat, the Suntory Mermaid II, has two wings in front. These convert the energy from waves into a movement similar to a dolphin’s kicks, making it the world’s first boat to be powered by the vertical motion of waves.

harnessing waves

“Twenty years ago while sailing, an accident broke my main mast which actually fell in the sea,” the white-haired Horie said. “The boat kept rocking and I thought how great it would be to actually harness the power of those waves to push the boat forward.”

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World-famous as the home of Queen Victoria’s Osborne House, East Cowes is moving ahead.

The first Town Meeting is due on Thursday 3/4/08 at 7pm in the Town Hall.

All local residents are invited to share hopes and ideas for the town’s future. 

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A political party has started acting on Peak Oil.
AT LAST!

What will they do?

Not much - they are not in power, nor are they likely to be for the foreseeable future.

It’s the British National Party.

BUT AT LEAST THEY HAVE A DISCUSSION GROUP.

All the same…

The Times recommends we follow the Transition Towns model.

Do it ourselves.

Work at a community level rather than a political level.

Talk to neighbours, friends and workmates.

Quicker? Probably!

Action:
Get the Transition Handbook.

This charity encourages manufacturers and retailers to donate their high quality surplus for distribution to good causes.

In Kind Direct has a network of voluntary organisations representing every kind of cause - family welfare, sickness and disability, homelessness, emergency relief, environment, ethnic support and community groups.

donate surplus

Companies donate surplus goods, mainly newly manufactured items. They might be ends of lines, seasonal items, samples, customer returns, things in damaged packaging or with slight defects.

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Empty shelves in Caracas. Food riots in West Bengal and Mexico.

Warnings of hunger in Jamaica, Nepal, the Philippines and sub-Saharan Africa.

Soaring prices for basic foods are beginning to lead to political instability, with governments being forced to step in to artificially control the cost of bread, maize, rice and dairy products.

Record world prices for most staple foods have led to 18% food price inflation in China, 13% in Indonesia and Pakistan, and 10% or more in Latin America, Russia and India, according to the UN Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO).

Wheat has doubled in price, maize is nearly 50% higher than a year ago and rice is 20% more expensive, says the UN.

These are caused by climate change and peak oil. Read more at the Guardian .

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Allotment gardening is growing more popular.

Geoff Stokes, from the National Society of Allotments and Leisure Gardeners, said the problem of waiting lists for plots was becoming a trend across the UK.

He added: “The demand for allotments is increasing and interest is currently blossoming at the moment right across the country.

It has 60 people on a waiting list for a plot in the area. The national average is 59, but Berkshire people will have to wait up to ten years because plots are given up so rarely.

The Government says it “recognises the unique role of allotments as places which bring all sections of the community together. They provide opportunities for people to grow their own produce as part of the long term promotion of sustainability and healthy living.”

Improvements attract tenents

In Leicester, the number of people in renting allotments increased 14%.

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Ventnor is in resurgence.

Building works are renewing a tired Victorian holiday town.

A live music tradition is developing a core of cultural activity that is expanding energetically.

And VentnorBlog is gaining a national reputation, with international fans!

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