Transition towns Orewa is hosting our next meeting with The Green Party at Centrestage in the lobby this Thursday May 29th at 7pm.

Come along and meet others who share your interest in providing solutions and building a resilient less oil dependent community.

Look forward to seeing you there

WAR, PEACE & OIL

Iran, Iraq, Burma, Nigeria? What makes all these countries ‘trouble spots’? Is it a coincidence that all of them have a lot of oil? What are the prospects for peaceful development as oil supplies begin to dry up?

How do we deal with the current threat the Bush administration poses to peace, human rights and energy security?

Keith Locke’s illustrated lecture examines these problems, and looks
to a more equitable world, using more sustainable energy.

Thank you to everyone who helped out. Was a big day. We are hoping to record an interview with Grant next week and provide much more detail on how and why this raised bed garden system is worth creating. Sorry bout the soundtrack but I couldn’t resist…

Good old Bryan Crump has interviewd Rob Hopkins on the RNZ nights show. In the twenty minute interview Rob discusses amongst other subjects the Totnes pound and the value the scheme has added to the Totnes Initiative. This is all great news with Miguel visiting next week. Perfect timing. Have a listen. Waiheke and Orewa get a mention as well.

Here is an MP3 of the interview.

http://www.deepanimation.co.nz/multimedia/rnz.mov

Roberto’s talk from the Orewa Power of Community night back in March. Part One of three.

We are having an event next week for visiting International Monetary Expert Miguel
Yasuyuki Hirota. I know this subject probably sounds pretty dry and more than a few
eyes are probably glazing over already. But this is fast becoming an important ingredient
in the transition. Every week we read more news from home and abroad about the sorry state
of the current monetary system and its implications on all of us.

There is no transition without a monetary transition.

We were thinking to keep the evening informal by sharing a pot luck meal together
before Miguel gives his presentation and we get the opportunity to question him.
This is a great opportunity to build our own community and get to know each other a bit better as well.

Miguel went to Argentina to study barter clubs during its collapse a few years back
so he brings valuable first hand experience.
Here is a link to his blogsite “Towards the economic democratization”

http://mig76en.wordpress.com/

I have attached Miguels bio and his press kit for more information.

Everyone is welcome. If you know other people who may be interested please let them know too.

This is great, another event on the heels of Roberto Perez.
Chris Laird is to MC. I will be on the panel representing TT Orewa.

Hi All,

Here are the minutes from last nights meeting. Thank you all for attending.
Thank you Allan for chairing the meeting.
I have highlighted actions in bold, please add your thoughts and send them back to me
and we can start to get things moving.
20 people attended, representing Warkworth, Army Bay, Orewa, Silverdale, Wainui, Dairy Flat, Albany and Stanmore Bay.
Brilliant that Chris Laird has kindly joined the Steering Committee.

We are creating a list of organisations in our area who we will contact and start building relationships with.
Add your suggestions here.

Transition culture was discussed as a community mobilsation.
We need a tag line as TT is meaningless to most people.

This from James Samuels.
Transition Towns are a new initiative that seeks to engage all sectors of the community in addressing the greatest transition of our time: from oil dependency to a low energy future. The aim is to become a hub that coordinates and catalyses the research and ideas of a diverse network of groups, organisations, associates and individuals from the private, public and community sector. Working in partnership, Transition Town initiatives will facilitate creative and pro-active responses to energy resource depletion, with the ultimate aim to strategise and implement a timetabled plan for a post petroleum town.

In the course of the coming year, you will see Transition Towns offering some inspiring and informative speakers, films, participatory workshops and think tanks. Look out for them. We aim to get people informed and motivated to work together in a positive manner, to design and build the solutions for our energy descent. Let’s put {Town name] on the map as a place that is leading the way with these timely and pressing issues.

Early days we still need to educate ourselves and others..

Film Evening 7.00pm. February 29th. 7.00pm.
“The Power of Community”.

11th Hour Opens 31st Jan.

There is local land to be used in time of emergency - reserves.

Positivity versus fear, all emotions will be experienced as a part of the Transition.
We need more research.
Please send any research or ideas as regards this
important concept as it affects how we communicate
amongst ourselves and with new people.

Having Open Space encourages people to feel safe to be whoever they are and participate.
We will send out an email about OPEN SPACE and how to practice it.

Great lot of discussion over Transition culture as we follow the steps to creating an Energy Descent Action plan.
Start thinking about your own personal energy descent plan.
I have attached one kindly done Nicola Rankin to kick this off.
Do your own Household Energy Descent Action.

Are community gardens in schools sustainable?
We will continue to gain information in this regard. We will contact Kingsway college and ask them about this, waste management
and the ecoschools programme.

Community gardens could be called Victory Gardens  to take in to account what an achievemnet they are.

In the Rodney district we are conscious of our waterways health as well, what is being done to preserve them?
Is this a project we wish to get involved in.

Roberto Perez’s visit. He will give a talk and then be part of a Panel discussion on 7th March.
Christine Rose has confirmed she would like to take part.  Other panelists could include Archer Davis, John Kirikiri.
Ideas for other panelists?

Meetings to be last Thursday of every month.
Next Meeting 28th of February at 7pm CD Headquarters.

Any other points you would like to discuss?

Leave a comment.

We are holding our third Transition Rodney meeting – January 24th at 7pm,
Location - CD Meeting Rooms Hilltop, Red Beach.

Coming form Orewa you go straight through the lights as you approach
Hilltop shops.
Next, do a right turn into the shops, but go straight ahead to the
rear of the building, where you should park your vehicle.
You will then need to walk to the front of the shops to enter at the
small door between the Off License and The Thai Restaurant.
Our number is 178 Hibiscus Coast Highway, Red Beach. You can see a
Civil Defence sign over the door.

We have attached a simple flyer you can print and circulate.

It would be fantastic to see you all there.

http://www.transitiontowns.org.nz/index.php/Interested/Orewa

1. Meeting Intro/News.

2. Quick introductions from people present.

3. Awareness raising.
identifying key allies, building crucial networks and preparing the community for
the transition.

4. Laying the foundations.
Networking with existing groups and activists. Acknowledging the work they do, and stressing
the vital role they have to play.

5. Five questions for discussion.
What can we do right now to make our lifestyles more appropriate to a post peak oil era?
Do people have any issues they would like to discuss in relation to altering their own lifestyle in response to peak oil?
Are there some things that you are finding challenging about trying to live more sustainably?
What would make it easier for you to live more sustainably tomorrow?
What have you already achieved that you think others could also achieve, and what advice to you have to give them about how to go about it?

6. Discuss range of achievable projects we could look at instigating that would further our goals as a transition town. Some examples:
-school gardens.
-community gardens.
-edible planting in town streets.
-town composting scheme.

7. Sustainable Rodney day and the talk on the 7th of March by Ricardo Perez
permaculture expert from the DVD “The Power of Community”.

8.Organiponica courses.
Is their interest in having one in our area.

9. Tank Vac systems for water tanks..do people wish to buy bulk direct from the
inventor. Are there any other bulk buying opportunities we should be investigating
presently i.e. solar panels.

10. Joining International TT group.

11. Set date for next meeting.

If anyone has any other items they would like to add please let us know and we will add them.

Transition Town - Making the Transition

Vision
Long ago it was said that without a vision the people perished. This is equally true today. To respond to the oil crisis and climate change we need a vision to awaken abilities and energies, to bring into our consciousness a greater sense of what we can become as a community.

The gathering storm provides the opportunity to create a new culture that brings the community together

In the future the community produces its own food organically. Machinery and tools are shared. Electricity from renewable sources is the primary source of energy. All waste is recycled. Sanitation and healthy living are the primary means of health care. A local centre treats injury and alleviates acute illness. The local school provides learning relevant to sustainable living. People have a sense of common purpose and a feeling of belonging. Working within the community is satisfying.

Public transport will be the primary means of travel. It could be that transport fuels are rationed and priority given to essential services.

The scientific, technological, sociological and psychological knowledge developed since the industrial revolution will be adapted to a post carbon world.

Society will become decentralised and there will be much less travel. The local community will use large facilities in central locations such as malls for other purposes.

Making the transition.
Alchemy is needed to transform the glitter of the consumer society into the gold of self-sustaining communities.

The transformation starts by marking on the map the position from which we are all starting. We will all benefit from a realistic understanding of our current situation.

Current Situation
At present there is a widespread belief that progress is achieved by continuous economic growth and material consumption. Natural resources are used as if they were in limitless supply. The natural world is used as a sink. There is great faith that technology will find a solution to every problem.

World oil supply is going to peak sooner rather than later and rising oil prices and shortages will have a significant adverse impact on every aspect of the economy.

Nothing can replace oil as a transport fuel.

The use of coal and gas has to be cut drastically to prevent run away climate change.

Economic growth and the consumer society cannot be sustained. Putting effort into saving the planet within the present economic framework results in more consumption of resources and growth. (Ref Wikipedia: Jevons Paradox)

The sprawling network in which we live and commute will no longer be viable.

A simple life within the limits of renewable resources is the only choice we have.

The Scope of Change
People are shocked when they first realise that we are up the creek without a paddle in leaky gumboots.

Initially we respond like stunned mullets when we first realise the full consequences of peak oil and climate change.

Once the pain has receded we then respond in one of the following three ways:

1. Encounter the challenge head on and throw ourselves fearlessly into the tasks of change

2. Procrastinate while we search for solutions that allow us to carry on business as usual.

3. Deny that there is any reason to change.

Encountering the challenge is necessary. Anything less is a waste of energy. We need to use every personal encounter to strengthen and build each other up to meet the challenge.

• When the shock hits people need time to be a stunned mullet and count to ten.
• Reflect and take in what is actually happening in the world
• Be encouraged to accept change in concert with others
• Develop a new consciousness (mental model) and ways of functioning
• Form cooperative relationships
• Contribute to community
• Act autonomously as an individual and a community
• Provide a lead to others

Summary
People are shocked when they first realise that the ship is sinking. What is then required is an orderly transition to the lifeboats and preparation for the voyage to the islands of the post carbon world. Some will deny the ship is sinking and insist on re- arranging the deck chairs or return below decks in an attempt to control the damage.

Here are Jude’s minutes from our meeting last night.

Next meeting is 24th January 2008.

Here is what I wrote down about the meeting.

We had apologies from several people, and to those who braved the wet weather, thank you. We also are very grateful to Chris Laird who opened the Civil Defence rooms up to us. What excellent facilities! Thanks Chris for this meeting and for all the offers of future resources. Great to see new faces as well.

We spoke about teaching all who wish to use the www.transitiontowns.org.nz wiki site. It is there for the using, dive in and have a look. A resources page is available etc.

Reviewed what is a transition town - a community who is moving away from a dependence on oil and acknowledges climate change with an energy descent action plan.

We spoke about the issues surrounding economic growth, and that we will be supporting localisation. Then the people present spoke about their visions of Transitiontowns. Some of what was covered was - ocean health/beach health/kaimoana health. -Infrastructure pressures in newer communities eg. Mahurangi’s new developments. -Low impact designs could be implemented. -making Orewa a nice place to live and what that could look like. -electric rail -communities where you wouldn’t have to use your car for days. -narrow roads -walkways prioritised -Food security -social services -more live music -new technologies -electric options- solar panels on street lamps -public transport in Orewa -what about a local milk treatment plant instead of using Takanini in the future -fishing ports -planting more trees-this is already happening -transport could be more electric -less roads -more bike lanes -footpaths between cul-de-sacs -food forests -organic gardens in backyards/schools/urban spaces It was great to throw our ideas out there and to see them visually.

Chris Laird gave us a CD perspective - Rodney has 100,000 pop. 85% food is distributed via SH1. We looked at scenarios - tsunami/volcanic/earthquake and the potential repercussions. Auckland is an extremely fragile system. Power is an issue, especially in Rodney as we get our power from the national grid- linked to Henderson and Sth Auckalnd. SH1 and SH16 is an evacuation route to South of Auckland because of this.

We all agreed that we are meeting to make our communities stronger together, become more united, find things to unite on. It is important to educate the wider public constantly, between our meeting times, so if we get new members we can all have similar understandings. Will try to tee up a movie night maybe End of Suburbia if we can get the ok to have a public showing- several locations were discussed. Find a project to sink our teeth into to, talk about it at next meeting Sustainability Rodney day in March, -next meeting. Submissions will be asked for by the council for the 10 year plan we were urged by Zane Taylor to contribute as individuals, numbers are important, -next meeting.

We will start a list over the internet of interested people and their skills. We have a rough agenda outline for the next meeting if you have anything to add please let us know.

Next meeting January 24th at 7pm at the Civil Defence Rooms. (Yay the rooms are great!)