Post Carbon Newsletter #17 July 2006

1. Relocalization Network update

2. Funding update

3. Municipal Response Guidebook
4. Energy Farm Update
5. Featured Post Carbon Group: Sustainable Burlington

6. Strategic Sustainable Planning Workshop
7. Calendar of Events

8. Next Newsletter Preview

1. Relocalization Network update

Every month is an exciting one for the Relocalization Network. With the addition of the Advocates for  Sustainable  Development  Philippines  Foundation, the Relocalization Network now spans eleven countries and includes 110 Local Post Carbon Groups.

In our aim to continually improve the services and tools we provide for this growing number of Local Post Carbon Groups on relocalize.net, we are in the process of upgrading the site. The content and functionality of the site will remain the same, but the layout of the features and tools will be changing slightly. We will be posting an information sheet on the front page of relocalize.net about the changes as the transition progresses. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, we would be happy to hear from you by email at network@postcarbon.org.

We have also developed the first version of our Fundraising Toolkit, which is now available from the website. Over the next couple of weeks we will be working on our Outreach Toolkit for Local Post Carbon Groups at community events and will be developing our resource section on www.relocalize.net.

2. Funding update

We have had a great response to Bill Rees' letter requesting support for the Relocalization Network. Thank you to everyone who sent us a gift for this important program. Your donations will help build the capacity of the Relocalization Network. If you missed Bill's letter you can still support the Relocalizing effort by clicking here. American donors can receive a tax receipt for their donations.

3. Municipal Response Guidebook

The Municipal Response Guidebook will be a resource for municipalities that are interested in preparing for a future of expensive and constrained oil and natural gas supplies. This project will build on past and continuing Post Carbon Institute work to collect and organize information about municipal needs and resources related to the challenges of planning for peak oil. The guidebook will frame energy vulnerability as a legitimate policy and risk management issue for municipalities and will include a toolkit for municipalities both to assess their vulnerability and to develop response plans. The guide will also include a series of case studies and suggested resource materials. Work on the guide has already begun and it will be published in the autumn. For more information, or to send your questions and comments about this guide, please contact the coordinator, Daniel Lerch.

4. Energy Farm Update

July has been a month of intense hand weeding at the Local Energy Farm demonstration (at the University of British Columbia Farm in Vancouver). At one stage it looked as if we may lose our fuel and fibre crops to an incredible onslaught of bindweed, smartweed and lamb's quarter. However, thanks to many marathon sessions by our energy farm team and stalwart volunteers we have saved the entire canola and flax crops. The sorghum was not so lucky, though we have two small patches left to illustrate what the crop looks like. Our switchgrass failed to germinate for reasons we are still examining. All of this is a dramatic illustration of the kinds of difficulties we shall face as we move away from petroleum-based agriculture.

Our food garden, however has faced far less weed pressure, and is now bringing forth bountiful produce including squash, zucchini (courgettes), beans, peas and potatoes. All produce is being sold at the UBC Farmers Market. The expected attack by wireworm on the potato crop certainly arrived, but was quite moderate, and we have managed a good crop of very marketable new potatoes.

If you would like more detailed news of the Energy Farm network, please email energyfarm@postcarbon.org.

5. Featured Post Carbon Group: Sustainable Burlington (Canada)

Sustainable Burlington, one of the newest Local Post Carbon Groups in the Relocalization Network, is co-sponsoring a symposium on preparing, personally and locally, for a low energy world.

Organizer, Ian Graham, says "we intend to provide the grounding for you to start planning your future in an energy descent scenario. You construct your most plausible version of that future and identify your preparations."

The Sustainable Lifestyles Symposium Sunday August 20th - Friday 25th offers attendees three different tracks for morning sessions:

1. Sensible Downshifting: an emphasis on public policy focus and the role of government to reduce waste and produce needs locally.
2. Technology to the Rescue: the technological ‘levees' that could protect many Canadians from hardships imposed by the high cost of energy and social disruptions.
3. Building Lifeboats: the local actions we could take to live low energy lifestyles, irrespective of government and corporate action.

The event includes internet access, speakers (some by teleconference), demonstration projects, films, community building interludes as well as optional field trips to a local windfarm, hemp farm, two intentional communities, a biodiesel garage and the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. The program provides interactive and experiential learning that allows participants to prepare for their scenario for the future. The symposium has an integral design to feed body, mind and spirit. For speakers, topics, projects and timetable, see http://www.sustainablelifestyles.ca.

6. Strategic Sustainable Planning Workshop Presentation in Vancouver, Canada

Julian Darley will be presenting at the second annual workshop of the Strategic Sustainable Planning (SSP) Sub-Committee of the Vancouver City Planning Commission on August 12th. The goal of this workshop is to raise awareness of the impact of rising energy costs and energy shortages on cities and help develop planning strategies.

The workshop will build on and develop themes from last year's event which was focused on the changes that peak oil will bring to the community. Please click here for last year's event report. This year's event will also build on a role playing session that was part of last year's event and incorporate recommendations from the post-event feedback received.

The format for the session is under development and workshop organizers Richard Balfour and Eileen Keenan welcome public participation in the design of the workshop process. A limited number of spaces are still available for attendees. The event is free but pre-registration is required. Please review the following documents and direct any suggestions or enquiries to Richard Balfour or Eileen Keenan.

• Working draft workshop schedule
• Working draft gaming session for SSP2

7. Calendar of Events:

Regional Radio Network to Discuss Local Self-Reliance

DATE/TIME: Wednesday, July 19, 7 - 9 p.m. The Seven Rivers Radio Network, a group of four community radio stations covering an area from northern California to Oregon, is broadcasting a special program on the burgeoning relocalization effort in the area. The show will feature the efforts of a number of northern California communities to become more self-reliant as global oil supplies decline relative to demand. Issues explored by these groups include expanding local food production, developing sustainable building methods, and improving energy sources not derived from petroleum. Guests from the groups in all of these areas will participate in the program, with each guest speaking from the studio in his or her respective local area.

The program will be a technical benchmark for the network as well. Not only will all five stations simulcast the program, they will also each take turns originating content in real time, as well as fielding calls from listeners in all five areas.

For more information please contact:

• Estelle Fennell, KMUD News Director
• Kent Westwood, Sustainable Laytonville Steering Committee

8. Next Newsletter Preview

• As the key role of municipalities becomes ever clearer, we feature an interview with Daniel Lerch, researcher and author of the forthcoming Post Carbon 'Municipal Response Guidebook'.

• Begin implementing Relocalization strategies in your community


• Start a Local Post Carbon Group


• Forward this newsletter to others
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