michael brownlee transition colorado

8/14/2019 Michael Brownlee Transition Colorado

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Michael BrownleeMichael Brownlee

TRANSITION COLORADOTRANSITION COLORADO


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PEAK OILPEAK OIL

GLOBALGLOBAL

WARMINGWARMINGECONOMICECONOMIC

INSTABILITYINSTABILITY

THE LONG EMERGENCYTHE LONG EMERGENCY


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The Long Emergency is an opportunity to pause,The Long Emergency is an opportunity to pause,

to think through our present course, and toto think through our present course, and to

adjust to a saner path for the future. We had bestadjust to a saner path for the future. We had best

face facts: we really have no choice. The Longface facts: we really have no choice. The LongEmergency is a horrible predicament. It is also aEmergency is a horrible predicament. It is also a

wonderful opportunity to do a lot better. Lets notwonderful opportunity to do a lot better. Lets not

squander this moment.squander this moment.

Albert Bates (paraphrased)Albert Bates (paraphrased)

The Post Petroleum Survival Guide and CookbookThe Post Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook


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Inherent within the challenges of peak oilInherent within the challenges of peak oil

and climate change is an extraordinaryand climate change is an extraordinary

opportunity to reinvent, rethinkopportunity to reinvent, rethinkand rebuild the world around us.and rebuild the world around us.

Rob HopkinsRob Hopkins

The Transition HandbookThe Transition Handbook


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The real issue of our age is how we makeThe real issue of our age is how we make

a graceful and ethical descent.a graceful and ethical descent.

David HolmgrenDavid Holmgren

Permaculture: Principles and PathwaysPermaculture: Principles and Pathways

Beyond SustainabilityBeyond Sustainability


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The challenge of global climate changeThe challenge of global climate change

makes a shift away from fossil fuelsmakes a shift away from fossil fuels

necessary for planetary survivalnecessary for planetary survival..

The impending peak in oil and gasThe impending peak in oil and gasproduction means thatproduction means that the transition isthe transition is

inevitableinevitable.. Our only choice is whether toOur only choice is whether to proactivelyproactively

undertake the transitionundertake the transition nowor later.nowor later.


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I believe that a lower-energy, more localizedI believe that a lower-energy, more localizedfuture, in which we move from being consumersfuture, in which we move from being consumers

to being producer/consumers, where food,to being producer/consumers, where food,

energy and other essentials are locally produced,energy and other essentials are locally produced,

local economies are strengthened and we havelocal economies are strengthened and we havelearned to live more within our means is a steplearned to live more within our means is a step

towards something extraordinary, not a steptowards something extraordinary, not a step

away from something inherently irreplaceable.away from something inherently irreplaceable.


The Transition HandbookThe Transition Handbook


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Local production of food, energy and goodsLocal production of food, energy and goods Local development of currency, governmentLocal development of currency, government

and cultureand culture

Reducing consumption while improvingReducing consumption while improvingenvironmental and social conditionsenvironmental and social conditions Developing exemplary communities thatDeveloping exemplary communities that

can be working models for othercan be working models for other

communities when the effects of energycommunities when the effects of energydecline become more intensedecline become more intense


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The most radical thingThe most radical thing

you can doyou can dois stay home.is stay home.

Gary SnyderGary Snyder


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Percentage of food consumedPercentage of food consumedlocally that was producedlocally that was produced

within a given radiuswithin a given radius

Ratio of car parking space toRatio of car parking space to

productive land useproductive land use

Degree of engagement inDegree of engagement inpractical relocalization workpractical relocalization work

by local communityby local community

Amount of traffic on localAmount of traffic on local

roadsroads

Number of businesses ownedNumber of businesses owned

by local peopleby local people Percentage of local tradePercentage of local trade

carried out in local currencycarried out in local currency

Proportion of the communityProportion of the communityemployed locallyemployed locally

Percentage of essential goodsPercentage of essential goods

manufactured within a givenmanufactured within a given

radiusradius

Percentage of local buildingPercentage of local building

materials used in new housingmaterials used in new housing

developmentsdevelopments

Number of 16-year-olds able toNumber of 16-year-olds able to

grow 10 different varieties ofgrow 10 different varieties of

vegetables to a given degree ofvegetables to a given degree of

basic competencybasic competency

Percentage of medicinesPercentage of medicines

prescribed locally that haveprescribed locally that have

been produced within a givenbeen produced within a given

radiusradius


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I have become fascinated by how we applyI have become fascinated by how we applythese principles to whole towns, wholethese principles to whole towns, whole

settlements, and in particular, to how we designsettlements, and in particular, to how we design

this transition in such a way that people willthis transition in such a way that people will

embrace it as a common journey, as a collectiveembrace it as a common journey, as a collectiveadventure, as something positiveadventure, as something positive

How can we design descent pathways which makeHow can we design descent pathways which make

people feel alive, positive and included in thispeople feel alive, positive and included in this

process of societal transformation?process of societal transformation?



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The future with less oil could be preferableThe future with less oil could be preferable

to the present,to the present, ififwe are able to engage withwe are able to engage with

enough imagination and creativityenough imagination and creativity

sufficiently in advance of the peaksufficiently in advance of the peak



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It takes a lot of cheap energy to maintain theIt takes a lot of cheap energy to maintain the

levels of social inequality we see today, thelevels of social inequality we see today, the

levels of obesity, the record levels oflevels of obesity, the record levels of

indebtedness, the high levels of car use andindebtedness, the high levels of car use andalienating urban landscapes. Only a culturealienating urban landscapes. Only a culture

awash with cheap oil could become de-skilledawash with cheap oil could become de-skilled

on the monumental scale we have.on the monumental scale we have.



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A creative, engaging, playful process,A creative, engaging, playful process,wherein we support our communities throughwherein we support our communities through

the loss of the familiar and inspire and createthe loss of the familiar and inspire and create

a new lower energy infrastructure which isa new lower energy infrastructure which is

ultimately an improvement on the present.ultimately an improvement on the present.


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Transition is a replicable strategy forTransition is a replicable strategy for

harnessing the talent, vision,harnessing the talent, vision,

and goodwill of ordinary people.and goodwill of ordinary people.

Richard HeinbergRichard Heinberg


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Life with less energy is inevitable, and it isLife with less energy is inevitable, and it isbetter to plan for it than be taken by surprise.better to plan for it than be taken by surprise.

We have lost the resilience to be able to copeWe have lost the resilience to be able to cope

with energy shocks.with energy shocks. We have to act for ourselves and we have toWe have to act for ourselves and we have to

act now.act now. By unleashing the collective genius of theBy unleashing the collective genius of the

community we can design ways of living thatcommunity we can design ways of living that

are more enriching, satisfying and connected.are more enriching, satisfying and connected.


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For all those aspects of life that thisFor all those aspects of life that thiscommunity needs to sustain itself and thrive,community needs to sustain itself and thrive,

how do we:how do we:dramatically reduce carbon emissions (indramatically reduce carbon emissions (in

response to climate change);response to climate change);significantly increase resilience (in responsesignificantly increase resilience (in response

to peak oil);to peak oil);

greatly strengthen our local economy (ingreatly strengthen our local economy (inresponse to economic instability)?response to economic instability)?


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Care of the EarthCare of the Earthrebuild natural capitalrebuild natural capital

Care of PeopleCare of Peoplelooklook

after self, kin andafter self, kin and

communitycommunity Fair ShareFair Shareset limitsset limits

to consumption andto consumption and

reproduction, andreproduction, and

redistribute surplusredistribute surplus


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OurOur visionvision is a future where life is more socially connected, moreis a future where life is more socially connected, moremeaningful and satisfying, more sustainable, and more equitablemeaningful and satisfying, more sustainable, and more equitable

in a greater community of relocalized communitiesin a greater community of relocalized communities

Where production and consumption occur closer to homeWhere production and consumption occur closer to home

Where long and fragile supply chainsnow vulnerable to surgesWhere long and fragile supply chainsnow vulnerable to surges

in oil prices and economic volatilityhave been replaced byin oil prices and economic volatilityhave been replaced byinterconnected local networksinterconnected local networks

Where the total amount of energy consumed by businesses andWhere the total amount of energy consumed by businesses and

citizens is dramatically less than current unsustainable levelscitizens is dramatically less than current unsustainable levels


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1.1. Set up an initiatingSet up an initiatinggroupgroup

2.2. Raise awarenessRaise awareness

3.3. Lay the foundationsLay the foundations

(partnering)(partnering)4.4. Organize a GreatOrganize a Great

UnleashingUnleashing

5.5. Form groupsForm groups

6.6.

Use Open SpaceUse Open Space

TechnologyTechnology

7.7. Develop visible,Develop visible,

practical projectspractical projects

8.8. Facilitate the GreatFacilitate the GreatReskillingReskilling

9.9. Build bridges to localBuild bridges to local

governmentgovernment

10.10. Honor and engage theHonor and engage theelderselders

11.11. Create an EnergyCreate an Energy

Descent Action PlanDescent Action Plan

(EDAP)(EDAP)

12.12. Let it go where itLet it go where it

wants to gowants to go


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..and design its evolution from the outset!..and design its evolution from the outset!


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CollaborateCollaborate

where possiblewhere possible

Co-operation,Co-operation,

not competitionnot competition


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Maybe they will tell stories about what happened in Totnes. Maybe thisMaybe they will tell stories about what happened in Totnes. Maybe this

evening will be something that is the beginning of one of those stories.evening will be something that is the beginning of one of those stories.

Dr Chris Johnstone TTT Unleashing Sept 06.Dr Chris Johnstone TTT Unleashing Sept 06.


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Up and RunningUp and Running

Arts / Food / Energy /Arts / Food / Energy /

Economics / Liaison with LocalEconomics / Liaison with LocalGovernment / Heart and SoulGovernment / Heart and Soul

the psychology of change / the psychology of change /

Medicine and Health /Medicine and Health /

Housing / Education /Housing / Education /TransportTransport


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Totnes, the Nut Tree Capital of Britain. Tree Planting, January 2007Totnes, the Nut Tree Capital of Britain. Tree Planting, January 2007


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Skilling Up forSkilling Up for

PowerdownPowerdown

Peak Oil / Climate Change,Peak Oil / Climate Change,Permaculture Principles, Food,Permaculture Principles, Food,

Energy, Building and Housing,Energy, Building and Housing,

Woodlands, Water, Waste,Woodlands, Water, Waste,

Economics, The Psychology ofEconomics, The Psychology of

Change, Energy DescentChange, Energy Descent

PlanningPlanning


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Cultivate positive andCultivate positive and

productiveproductive

relationships.relationships. You may be pushingYou may be pushing

against an open door!against an open door! Government shouldGovernment should

support, not drive.support, not drive. Collaborate onCollaborate on

community plan.community plan.


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Start with a vision andStart with a vision andthen backcastthen backcast

Incorporate TransitionIncorporate TransitionTalesTales Base it on currentBase it on current

planning documentsplanning documents


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Your EDAP should feel like a holidayYour EDAP should feel like a holiday

brochure, presenting a localized, low-energybrochure, presenting a localized, low-energy

world in such an enticing way that anyoneworld in such an enticing way that anyone

reading it will feel their life utterly bereft ifreading it will feel their life utterly bereft if

they dont dedicate the rest of their livesthey dont dedicate the rest of their lives

towards its realization.towards its realization.Rob HopkinsRob Hopkins


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Focus on the questionsFocus on the questions Unleash the collectiveUnleash the collective

genius of the communitygenius of the community Any sense of control isAny sense of control is

illusoryillusory


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Deeply rooted in Permaculture principles and ethicsDeeply rooted in Permaculture principles and ethics

Cultivates positive visioning as a core practiceCultivates positive visioning as a core practice Provides training in the practical skills needed for a post-oil societyProvides training in the practical skills needed for a post-oil society

Recognizes Inner Transition, the psychological side of the process ofRecognizes Inner Transition, the psychological side of the process of

changechange Encourages inclusiveness, openness to peer-to-peer feedbackEncourages inclusiveness, openness to peer-to-peer feedback

Promotes non-hierarchical, distributed decision-makingPromotes non-hierarchical, distributed decision-making Enables sharing and networkingEnables sharing and networking Balances inner/outer, left/right brain, masculine/feminine, young/oldBalances inner/outer, left/right brain, masculine/feminine, young/old

Provides a replicable model, a clear pathwayProvides a replicable model, a clear pathway

Engages whole communities in the processEngages whole communities in the process Scalable and adaptable to particular communitiesScalable and adaptable to particular communities

Spreads like wildfire!Spreads like wildfire!


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The Transition process is one of acting as aThe Transition process is one of acting as a

catalyst, unlocking the collective genius andcatalyst, unlocking the collective genius and

enthusiasm of the community, andenthusiasm of the community, and

harnessing the untapped power of engagedharnessing the untapped power of engaged

optimism.optimism.

Transition Town TotnesTransition Town Totnes


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The Transition movement is the mostThe Transition movement is the most

exciting, most hopeful, most inspirationalexciting, most hopeful, most inspirational

movement happening in Britain today.movement happening in Britain today.

Caroline LucasCaroline Lucas

European ParliamentEuropean Parliament


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The Transition movement has harnessed theThe Transition movement has harnessed the

collective call to action and is a glue that iscollective call to action and is a glue that is

mending the torn fabric of our communities.mending the torn fabric of our communities.

Cliona OConaillCliona OConaill

Carbon DescentCarbon Descent


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I think the thing about the Transition movementI think the thing about the Transition movementis that it is a movement from the bottom, ais that it is a movement from the bottom, a

movement of people relating to each other. Itmovement of people relating to each other. It

creates a pressure, it creates a momentum, and itcreates a pressure, it creates a momentum, and it

is this momentum that hopefully becomesis this momentum that hopefully becomesunstoppable and then carries the other partiesunstoppable and then carries the other parties

along with it who may technically have morealong with it who may technically have more

decision-making power, but because they aredecision-making power, but because they are

being forced from below will have no choice but tobeing forced from below will have no choice but to

act.act.Chris SkrebowskiChris Skrebowski

Petroleum ReviewPetroleum Review


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CU Going LocalCU Going Local (student(studentgroup)group)

Transition BoulderTransition Boulder

Transition Boulder MountainsTransition Boulder Mountains

Transition Capitol HillTransition Capitol Hill

Transition DenverTransition Denver** Transition EvergreenTransition Evergreen

Transition Ft. CollinsTransition Ft. Collins

Transition GunnisonTransition Gunnison

Transition LongmontTransition Longmont

Transition LouisvilleTransition Louisville**

Transition LovelandTransition Loveland Transition LyonsTransition Lyons**

Transition Manitou SpringsTransition Manitou Springs

Transition Naropa UniversityTransition Naropa University

(student group)(student group)

Transition Niwot/GunbarrelTransition Niwot/Gunbarrel

Transition Orchard GroveTransition Orchard Grove

Transition SalidaTransition Salida

Transition WestminsterTransition Westminster

Transition West Front RangeTransition West Front Range


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1. Boulder County CO1. Boulder County CO

2. Sandpoint ID2. Sandpoint ID

3. Ketchum ID3. Ketchum ID4. Cotati CA4. Cotati CA

5. Lyons CO5. Lyons CO

6. Santa Cruz CA6. Santa Cruz CA

7. Montpelier VT7. Montpelier VT

8. Portland ME8. Portland ME

9. Sebastopol CA9. Sebastopol CA10. Laguna Beach CA10. Laguna Beach CA

11. Pine Mountain CA11. Pine Mountain CA

12. Ashland OR12. Ashland OR

13. Berea KY13. Berea KY

14. Pima AZ14. Pima AZ

15. Los Angeles CA15. Los Angeles CA16. Denver CO16. Denver CO

17. Whatcom WA17. Whatcom WA

18. Mount Shasta CA18. Mount Shasta CA

19. NE Seattle WA19. NE Seattle WA

20.20.Louisville COLouisville CO

21.21.Newburyport MANewburyport MA

22. Paso Robles CA22. Paso Robles CA

23. Portland OR23. Portland OR

24. San Luis Obispo CA24. San Luis Obispo CA25. Hohenwald TN25. Hohenwald TN

26. Ann Arbor MI26. Ann Arbor MI

27. Oklahoma City OK27. Oklahoma City OK

28. West Marin CA28. West Marin CA

29. Tucson AZ29. Tucson AZ

30. Greater New Haven CT30. Greater New Haven CT

31. Santa Barbara CA31. Santa Barbara CA

32. Stelle IL32. Stelle IL

33. Hancock County ME33. Hancock County ME

34. Hardwick Area VT34. Hardwick Area VT

35. Southern Whidbey Island WA35. Southern Whidbey Island WA

36. Culver City CA36. Culver City CA

37. Sunnyside, Portland OR37. Sunnyside, Portland ORMedia PAMedia PATransition Carrboro/Chapel Hill NCTransition Carrboro/Chapel Hill NCTransition Houston TXTransition Houston TXTransition Olympia WATransition Olympia WA


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www.TransitionUS.org www.TransitionUS.ning.com www.TransitionColorado.ning.com

www.TransitionColorado.org
http://www.transitionus.org/http://www.transitionus.ning.com/http://www.transitioncolorado.ning.com/http://www.transitioncolorado.org/http://www.transitioncolorado.org/http://www.transitioncolorado.ning.com/http://www.transitionus.ning.com/http://www.transitionus.org/


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Transition is a social experiment on aTransition is a social experiment on amassive scale; we dont know if this willmassive scale; we dont know if this will

work.work. If we wait for the governments, itll be tooIf we wait for the governments, itll be too

little, too late.little, too late. If we act as individuals, itll be too little.If we act as individuals, itll be too little. But if we act as communities, it might beBut if we act as communities, it might be

just enough, just in time.just enough, just in time.


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This work, just like the Transition model, isThis work, just like the Transition model, isbrought to you by people who are activelybrought to you by people who are actively

engaged in Transition in a communityengaged in Transition in a community

people who are learning by doing andpeople who are learning by doing and

learning all the time, people who understandlearning all the time, people who understandthat we cant sit back and wait for someonethat we cant sit back and wait for someone

else to do the work.else to do the work.

People likePeople likeyouyou, perhaps, perhaps


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Those who are involved in Transition Initiatives areThose who are involved in Transition Initiatives arepart of one of the biggest and most important researchpart of one of the biggest and most important research

projects underway anywhere in the world. You areprojects underway anywhere in the world. You arecatalyzing those around you to ask the questions thatcatalyzing those around you to ask the questions that

government still finds it very hard to ask, but that aregovernment still finds it very hard to ask, but that areessential to our collective survival. You areessential to our collective survival. You are

acknowledging that it is with us that real changeacknowledging that it is with us that real change

begins, and that it is up to us whether we accept thisbegins, and that it is up to us whether we accept this

responsibility or shy away from it.responsibility or shy away from it.



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In the face of almost certain uncertainty, our job is toIn the face of almost certain uncertainty, our job is torise to the occasion, to evolvein our thinking,rise to the occasion, to evolvein our thinking,

our perspectives, and in our commitment to make thisour perspectives, and in our commitment to make this

transition as positive as possible.transition as positive as possible.

We will probably become some new kind of humanWe will probably become some new kind of humanat the end of it allit is that big and that important.at the end of it allit is that big and that important.

John L. PetersenJohn L. Petersen

A Vision for 2012:A Vision for 2012:Planning for Extraordinary ChangePlanning for Extraordinary Change


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Forget that this task of planet-saving is notForget that this task of planet-saving is notpossible in the time required. Dont be put off bypossible in the time required. Dont be put off by

peoplepeople

who know what is not possible. Do what needswho know what is not possible. Do what needsto be done, and check to see if it was impossibleto be done, and check to see if it was impossible

only after you are done.only after you are done.

Paul HawkenPaul Hawken


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All things are possible once enough human beingsAll things are possible once enough human beingsrealize that everything is at stake.realize that everything is at stake.

Norman CousinsNorman Cousins


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michael brownlee transition colorado

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