Transition Towns exemplify the principle of thinking globally, acting locally.
Transition Towns are people from our communities coming together out of a desire to explore how we can respond to the twin challenges of climate change and peak oil. Although the Transition Town model provides us with a framework, we know we don’t have all the answers but we believe that through working together and tapping into all that skill, knowledge and creativity within the community we can better prepare and come up with some great local solutions.
Transition Towns are about reducing our carbon emissions and use of fossil fuels (oil, gas & coal) so we are better prepared for peak oil and reducing our contribution to climate change. At the same time Transition Towns are about strengthening community and building resilience or self reliance so together we can better cope with the changes that are already starting to occur. A key part of this is creating a collective vision of our communities in the future which is so compelling and alluring we will naturally be drawn towards it. By working together and relocalising all essential elements that a community needs to sustain itself and thrive there will be every chance life will be more fulfilling, more equitable, we will have more connection with each other and the environment and make our communities vibrant and truly sustainable.
Transition Towns achieve this by raising awareness about the serious implications Climate Change and Peak Oil have for society and by initiating groups and projects designed to “transition” from a high energy to low energy lifestyle in a positive and creative manner. These community groups work on finding creative solutions for their own communities in areas such as food, transport, energy, housing, economics etc.
As well as actual on the ground projects, here and now, which move us to less reliance on fossil fuels, each Transition Town puts together an Energy Decent Action Plan (EDAP) which outlines step by step how we can move to a much less energy intense future.
Well over 1,000 communities – towns, cities, suburbs, islands - around the world , including 81 in New Zealand are setting off on their own relocalisation journey through establishing a “Transition Town” as people begin to recognize the importance and urgency of the action needed.
The opening paragraph in the Portland in Oregon (population 550,000) Peak Oil initial report for public consultation sums up the current situation quite well.
"In the past few years, powerful evidence has emerged that casts doubt on that assumption [that oil and natural gas will remain plentiful and affordable] and suggests that global production of both oil and natural gas is likely to reach its historic peak soon. This phenomenon is referred to as “Peak Oil.” Given both the continuous rise in global demand for these products and the fundamental role they play in all levels of social, economic and geopolitical activities, the consequences of such an event are enormous."
Underpinning the Transition Model is recognition of the following:
• Climate Change and Peak Oil require urgent action
• life with less energy is inevitable and it is better to plan for it than be taken by surprise
• industrial society has lost the resilience to be able to cope with energy shocks
• we have to act together and we have to act now
• regarding the world economy and the consumptive patterns within it, as long as the laws of physics apply, infinite growth within a finite system (such as planet earth) simply isn't possible
• we demonstrated phenomenal levels of ingenuity and intelligence as we raced up the energy curve over the last 150 years, and there's no reason why we can't use those qualities, and more, as we negotiate our way down from the peak of the energy mountain
• if we plan and act early enough, and use our creativity and cooperation to unleash the genius within our local communities, then we can build a future that could be far more fulfilling and enriching, more connected and more gentle on the earth than the lifestyles we have today
The history of Transition Towns in New Zealand
In 2001 Rob Hopkins began teaching a Practical Sustainability course in Kinsale Ireland, based on the principles of Permaculture. This is more than just an organic gardening technique, it encompasses a whole way of thinking about the world and how we use it. The foundations are “Earth care, people care, and fair share.”
In June 2005 Rob organized a two day conference in Kinsale on “the challenge and opportunity of peak oil” with speakers like Richard Heinberg, author of ‘Peak Everything’. Rob’s permaculture students, recognizing the importance and magnitude of the problems of Peak Oil and Climate Change, subsequently wrote an Energy Decent Action Plan for their community. This was the first attempt in the world at designing a timetabled strategy for weaning a town off fossil fuels and towards a lower carbon footprint.
In October 2007 Richard Heinberg visited New Zealand and spoke at Eco Show in Taupo. Inspired by the idea - James Samuel from Waiheke and a growing number of helpers set up a fantastic website to support the development of the Transition Town movement here in New Zealand. One by one steering groups started to form across the country kicking off awareness raising activities and community projects. Topic groups have formed and are beginning to look at all the key areas of our lives such as food, energy, transport, waste, health, housing, and economics and are embarking on projects to move us to a future less dependant on fossil fuels in these areas.
There are now over 80 Transition Towns across New Zealand with more starting each month. Transition Nelson is part of this rapidly spreading community.