Further to my recent post on compost toilets, check out this movie to get an insight into another obvious use for humanure we are not doing. Beats using the chemical filled portaloo.
There are also some other Permaculture movies well worth watching out at the link above.
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.
Check out this composting toilet system. Fairly simple to set up and run with so many benefits to be gained for your garden.
Makes you wonder why we spend millions pumping this great resource into ponds, landfill and out to sea.
Here is a link for a free copy of the Humanure Handbook is you want to find out more.
http://www.jenkinspublishing.com/humanure.html
Betsy Kettle explains the City to Farm Composting Project. This is a different method of collection and processing urban food scraps that could potentially supply the farmlands around major cities with an odourless, leachate free compost. The security of the urban food supply may be dependent on growing locally without dependence on petrochemical-based fertilizers and minimal transport. Organic agriculture based on compost may be our future food security and also create a more sustainable agricultural system.
This from the following website,
Compressed Air Engine vehicles. An inventor´s dream or a reality?
The development of our vehicles is the result of thousands of hours of research. The engines and prototypes have been the subject of countless tests and trials. The car’s driving range has been tested under a great amount of different conditions (different temperatures and payloads). Every aspect of these research is what makes de project beyond a simple dream. Numerous experts had examined the car before agreeing taking part in the project. Hence, it has also been shown on many television programs around the world. At the same time the car is there available to see to anyone who requests it or has the enough interest.
Which car models will finally be released?
The first three models that will put on the market will be:
- The OneCAT’s introduced with two different models starting at 3.500€.
- The MiniCAT’s presented into two models: “berlina” and “cabriolet”.
- The CityCAT’s (2nd generation) derived into two different models with multiple bodies: “berlina”, “van”, “taxi”, “pick-up”…each of them with a different range of available engines (2, 4, 6 cylinders).
When and where will the first cars be sold?
In the countries where manufacturing licenses have already been sold, production will begin immediately after the “mother” factory in France starts with the mass production. If we don’t already have associated manufactures in a country the car will anyways be there sooner or later. Most likely, the following countries will be India and Spain. If we keep up with the current plannification, the first cars should be available on the market in summer 2008.
In Europe, the OneCAT will be sold at a price ranging between 3,500€ and 5,300€ depending on the chosen model.
The MiniCAT’s will be put forward at a base price of 6.860€ (tax not included) except in some options.
The CityCAT’s will be put forward at a base price of 9.460€ (tax not included) except in some equipment options. Taxes and subsidized options which are currently being negociated with governments have not been calculated yet.
How do you refill the compressed air tanks? How much does it cost?
The car’s air tanks will be refilled thanks to the same internal engine working in compressor mode. This will take about four hours and 22 Kwh of electricity are needed as energy. Otherwise the tanks can be refilled with high pressure in three minutes at an air station. The cost of refueling with the generator will be approximately 1.5 Euros.
300 bars of compressed air stored on board the vehicle, Is this dangerous for the passengers?
Compressed air tanks have already been tested safe by one of our partners EADS(AIRBUS). This company’s reputation in the aeronautical field is indisputable, and they have been proven in a thorough way the reliability of our tanks. What’s more, the compressed air does not present any risk of explosion. Countless tests have been carried out in the most extreme conditions (gun shoots, resistance to fire…) to guarantee passenger safety in every possible condition. The high pressure tanks have been developed using a similar technology as those used in natural gas vehicles and by firefighters. All are produced with carbon fiber over plastic.
The tanks that MDI puts in its vehicles are similar to those already in use in natural gas busses in Germany and also other countries.
It is not as silence as electric cars, but it still emits less sound than traditional cars do since the engine does not produce explosions (but expansions).
Do CAT Vehicles stand up in terms of safety? Do you need a drivers licence?
Our vehicles will be approved like any car (M1) and follow the same safety rules and regulations. The car’s tubular body allow for increased resistance in case of a crash. You will need a drivers licence as well as you need it for any other car.
Since it is necessary to produce electricity to recharge them, are your vehicles really clean?
Running the Air Car is as clean as the electricity you buy/produce. In some countries its geting closer and easier to order carbon free electricity, either through special schemes or through companies dedicated to producing sustainable electricity. But, even if you are unable to access a supplier with a sustainable electricity option, it is safer, cleaner, greener and more cost effective to distribute electricity than actually expending fuel kilometres/miles distributing flammable, polluting petrol/gasoline to individual stations. So though running the Air Car may not be totally pollution free for all users, it prevents the concentration of pollution in densely populated areas. Unfortunately, there is no technology that assures completely pollution free car manufacturing, but our efforts go trying to reduce it to a minimum.
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.
Jude and I met up with Grant Steven while in the Far North to start this new project we had been discussing for a while. Grant is one of the Norths main Peak Oil advocates and had the great idea to go film communities up there as there were many practical lessons to be learned for an oil depleted future. Sort of New Zealand’s answer to “The Greening of Cuba”. This video is the first of many we hope.
Our first stop was the property of Yvonne Steinerman and Wayne Parsonson deep in Honeymoon Valley off the Peria Road.
After a few cups of tea Wayne took us down to the orchard where this video was made. Watching Wayne there was a dignity and honestly in his approach, all the possum gets used and not just left to rot in the bush or die some prolonged death from poison.
Here is a bit of info about 1080 from http://www.stop1080poison.com/
1. Aerial application of 1080 poison is banned in the U.S. due
to “the extreme hazard to human health and to the environment.” (From the United States Environmental Protection Agency.)
2. There is NO ANTIDOTE for 1080 poison. Classified as a “super toxic” poison, it takes 1/500 of an ounce to kill a 68kg man. According to the U.S. EPA, there is insufficient data on the effects of low residual doses of 1080 on human health.
3. After an aerial drop, there is no control over 1080 poison. Minute quantities can be wind-blown or washed downhill. Undegraded sodium fluoroacetate (1080) travels down into the soil & ground water, therefore, it can get into tank water, streams and water supplies.
4. A 1080 pellet can last for up to six months in cool dry conditions.
5. A poisoned possum can travel 5 kilometres or more before it dies.
6. A possum carcass can take six months or more to decompose, depending on where it dies and weather conditions.
7. 1080 poison kills an unacceptable number of non-target species, including dogs, cats, deer, pigs, birds, hedgehogs, bees and other insects.
8. 1080 poison does not break down in the body therefore is a high risk of direct or secondary poisoning to non-target creatures.
9. 1080 kills insects. Sodium monofluoroacetate (1080) was patented as an insecticide in Great Britain in 1927, proving an effective contact & systemic insecticide. However, it was considered too dangerous to use! Also, a New Zealand report for Landcare NZ (Meads June ‘94) recommended further investigation of 1080 impact on invertebrate insect populations was urgently required.
10. 1080 is highly toxic to ALL avian species. U.S. research has proven that this lethal poison is capable of wiping out entire species, ie. Environment Canada and Canadian Wildlife Service states in their National Recovery Programme for Burrowing Owls that “a study by Butts (1973) suggested that the presence of 1080 (sodium fluoracetate) laced grain may have contributed to a 71% reduction in the breeding population of a colony of Burrowing Owls between two consecutive years.
As Wayne says in the video put down your latte and just get out there.
David Holmgren talking in Auckland mid last year. He is perhaps most well known as co-originator of the permaculture concept with Bill Mollison. His vision is for retrofitting the suburbs is an important talk and recommended viewing. This is part 1 and gives you a good taste. The others will follow in the next few days.
This video was not shot by us.