Oil is a fossil fuel that we depend on to function: to eat, to house ourselves, and to get around the world. The reality, though, is that oil reserves will not last forever, and in the coming years, the cost for oil will likely skyrocket. Add in the effects of global warming, and there is a great need to lessen dependence on oil.
Transition initiatives may be one answer to this dilemma. Originating with the work of activist Rob Hopkins, transition initiatives are grassroots solutions to the question, “How can we make our community stronger and happier as we deal with the impacts of peak oil and economic contraction, while at the same time urgently reducing CO2 emissions?”
Although this concept began in Ireland, it has quickly spread throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and now the Untied States. 394 communities throughout the world have official joined the movement, with many more communities that have been define as “mullers.” These groups are doing transition initiative inspired work, but haven’t committed fully to the official transition movement.
So what are these people really doing? Transition initiatives employ the ideas and energy of community members to find ways to make their communities less oil-dependent. This is often in the form of socio-economic localization, with local food movements at the heart of many initiatives. Community gardens are often created, as well as the creation of local food systems that connect local growers to local buyers.
Another project implemented by many towns that are participating is local currency. Communities like Stroud, Gloucestershire have created their own money systems that can be used by individuals to purchase local foods, or to buy from local merchants who participate in the program. This encourages people to keep their dollar locally and reduces carbon emissions required to buy items that produced or sold farther away.
Although solutions to current environmental and economic problems are greatly needed, no one is certain what is really going to work. The Transition Network’s website has a disclaimer, though, that brings clarity to the issue and inspiration to do something: “If we wait for the governments, it’ll be too little, too late. If we act as individuals, it’ll be too little. But if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.”
