Mon 21 July 2008 | 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Lindfield Senior Citizens centre
Lindfield
NSW
$5 for visitors
After decades of debate, challenge, scepticism and uncertainty there is now a
growing global consensus on the reality of global warming, though still debate
about solutions and weak commitment to action in many nations. Peak Oil -
though first predicted in 1956 - is a newer debate and is going through a
similar cycle. There are still nations and vested interests in denial and
plenty of sceptics. There are plenty of others hoping for a 'techno-fix'
to the Peak Oil issue. The impacts of Peak Oil, however, are starting to
bite right now, much earlier than severe climate change effects. Rising
fuel prices, rising food prices, airline cost-cutting and price increases,
transport industry struggling and even food-riots are current daily news. We
may have much less time to adjust to Peak Oil than to Global Warming. No one
can know the exact impacts or timing, but the future scenarios all seem to
involve both energy and climate volatility and uncertainty.
Transition Sydney has been formed to stimulate and support local action
initiatives aimed at building community resilience and planned adjustment
to a world where cheap energy is no longer available and our personal and
collective carbon footprint must be reduced to save the planet's climate and
biosystems. Such community-driven 'relocalisation' initiatives are likely
to prove the most important response to the future challenges, particularly
if government responses prove ineffective or even dangerous.
In a multi-media and interactive presentation, Peter Driscoll and Andrew
Harvey from Transition Sydney will provide key information on Peak Oil and
Climate Change and how these two realities might interact. They will examine
possible future scenarios and possible solutions. The vulnerability of the
Sydney Region - a metropolitan conglomeration of over 4 million people,
40 local government areas and 8 large city hubs will be discussed. They
will then focus on the areas of Sydney serviced by Permaculture North's
activities and activism, the actions that can be undertaken and the central
role of Permaculture in building localised community resilience. Finally they
will discuss the Transition Towns model of community engagement with local
councils to develop local energy descent action pathways for their communities.
After the meeting we will have an open discussion and debate about permaculture
strategies to transition. Be prepared for a thought provoking and stimulating
meeting this Monday that will get you planning for action.