Transition Washington County (Transition), a volunteer organization, was formed to actively find and implement solutions to help our area be better prepared (more resilient) for the inevitable changes due to energy shortages, climate change and economic collapse.
|
Talk to a Transition volunteer today, and get involved! If you are interested in more information, or would like to learn how to participate in this Transition Initiative, contact Cassa Von Kundra: cassavk(at)gmail(dot)com, or (276) 492-6135. “Transition Initiatives are based on four key assumptions: 1. That life with dramatically lower energy consumption is inevitable, and that it's better to plan for it than to be taken by surprise. 2. That our settlements and communities presently lack the resilience to enable them to weather the severe energy shocks that will accompany peak oil. 3. That we have to act collectively, and we have to act now. 4. That by unleashing the collective genius of those around us to creatively and proactively design our energy descent, we can build ways of living that are more connected, more enriching and that recognize the biological limits of our planet.” -Rob Hopkins A 10 minute documentary on living sustainably with an emphasis on small, organic farming featuring Jon Towers: |
In
the News! There
is a lot of talk recently that "tight oil" as found in North Dakota's
Bakken and other shales in the Southwest will save America from
stagnant global oil production and increasing gasoline prices. The
current glut of natural gas which has brought prices to a 10-year low
has forced companies drilling for gas to curtail their activity and
move the crews and rigs to North Dakota and Texas where money can still
be made in drilling for shale oil. New well completions in North Dakota
are expected to surge again this year. read more
Obama is essentially endorsing tar sands oil production, with all the environmental wreckage it causes, as well as dooming the Midwest to more pipeline spills. It also means that investment dollars will now flow to boosting the production capacity of the tar sands operations, which in turn will pump up the industry's political clout even more. In effect, there’s no stopping the tar sands now. The dirty bitumen is gonna get dug up and refined and piped down to the Gulf and slimed across the world. Read More The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) is joining other agricultural organizations in Virginia to encourage Virginians to spend at least $10 per week on locally grown foods and beverages. read more Why should
I buy locally? Find out here!
Have you ever wondered why the CPI, GDP and employment numbers run counter to your personal and business experiences? The problem lies in biased and often-manipulated government reporting. Find the facts! Death to the McMansion! Charm and convenience can make our communities more resilient. What's the big deal about "resilience"? Read an interview with Sander van der Leeuw and find out. |
|
BALLE
The
Business Alliance for Local Living Economies
Activist for the Earth: Interview with permaculturist, peace, environmental, and global justice activist Starhawk. In
Transition 1.0 the
movie
How Will You Ride the Slide? must see youtube video 350.org:Because the World Needs to Know Sustainable World Radio Interview with Carolyn Baker, author of Sacred Demise (click link to play or right click and "save as" to download) The Story of Stuff (highly recommended viewing) Belief in Climate Change Hinges on World View A Post Oil Man a not so subtle call to action video |
 |
Transition sees these areas of change as interconnected. Any effective solutions must address all these areas; fortunately, there are many ways to become more resilient.
Encourage local food production, distribution and consumption
Improve self-reliance (living within our local means) in terms of basic products/services needed often, such as supporting small businesses to create jobs and products used locally
Retrofit our community to use less energy
Develop more efficient transportation systems within the county
| "Indeed,
we must begin learning to apply ecological principles to the design of
our food production systems now—we are rapidly approaching or are
already at the peak of planetary oil production, and the world of
energy descent is upon us. This sea change in our culture will require
that we learn to live within our energetic means and begin to rebuild
ecosystems that support human and humane lives without diminishing the
ability of the ecosystem to support our children and grandchildren." -David Jacke Edible Forest Gardens |
The Permaculture
Center of Southwest Virginia growing the future for the Southern Appalachians The Story of Stuff (highly recommended viewing) Abingdon Carbon Cutters Our sister city in Oxfordshire, UK We're now on Facebook! Join us there. Southeastern Permaculture Gathering Calculate your carbon footprint! myfootprint.org |
| Transition Initiatives are part of a vibrant, international grassroots movement that builds community resilience in response to the challenges of global climate change, peak oil, and economic crisis. | Check out Charles Eisenstein, author of The Ascent of Humanity and regular contributer to RealitySandwich.com |
| Spreading the Word Encouraging public awareness, as well as participation, is a critical part of our mission. We have had excellent attendance at our film screenings and discussions. If you missed seeing In Transition 1.0, you can view it here online. Share this link with a friend. | Appalachian
Sustainable
Devopment developing healthy, diverse and ecologically sound economic opportunities |