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Common Sense Solutions - Starting Now

Rob Hopkins, Transition Towns Founder

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Planning For Energy Descent

This is a Ted Talk given by Permaculture educator Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition movement.

In early 2005 at the Kinsale Further Education College in Ireland, he and friends created the Kinsale Energy Descent Action Plan, which was later adopted as policy by the Town Council. It was the first strategic community planning document of its kind, and went beyond the issues of energy supply, to look at across-the-board creative adaptations in the realms of food, farming, education, economy, health, and much more.

This effort led to work of the Transition movement, which is now worldwide.

The Vision: that every community can engage its collective creativity to unleash an extraordinary and historic transition to a future beyond fossil fuels; a future that is more vibrant, abundant and resilient; one that is ultimately preferable to the present.

The Transition approach is very much a study of permaculture in itself. It asks not: How can we make sure people take action the way we know they ought to and grow food, start composting, install solar panels, etc?" No, it asks: what is already going on in this town and how can we maximize the interchange and benefit of all the commerce and activity already in motion - regardless of people's views, politics, awareness of energy issues etc.

They do not seek to run away and start eco- villages. The Transition Town model seeks to engage EVERYONE in the community in the question: How can we become more resilient in the face of some very different times ahead?

--Bibi Farber

This video was produced by Ted Talks
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