The Greenacre Project has been selected by Waitrose in North Finchley for its Community Matters financial support. If you shop there do please put your green tokens in the Greenacre Project box. The support will help fund next year's Greenacre Bicyle Rally.
For those of you on Facebook - we now have a Greenacre Project page - have a look - you will find pictures from the last two rallies and some of our other news. Spread our word by hitting the 'like' button.
Friday 10 December 2010
Friday 20 August 2010
Mass Observation Community Online (MOCO)
Dear Greenacre Project,
We at the MOCO Project want to thank you for the contributions that
have come from your group so far. You can see all contributions from
your members here: Greenacre Project
“A Day in your Life” 12th September
On Sunday the 12th of September we will be continue with our Mass
Observationinspired 12th of the month submission drive. As with our
August initiative we would like to get as manygroups as possible to
participate but this month we are proposing that groupmembers become
Mass Observers for the day. Mass Observation had a team of observers
that went into avariety of public situations: meetings, religious
occasions, sporting andleisure activities, in the street and at work,
and recorded people's behaviourand surroundings in as much detail as
possible. The material they produced is avaried documentary account of
life in Britain. We are encouraging community group members to be
Observersfor a day to record life in your community.
Last submission day 20th September
Monday 20th September will be the last day that we accept
submissions.Unfortunately the project is already coming to a close
after all positiveengagement we have had with groups across the country.
Answer our questionnaire: this task gives your group members a unique opportunity to answer a historical MO questionnaire from the 1930s!
Questionnaire
Keep a diary for a day: this task invites individuals to write a diary about their experiences and feelings for a day.
Keep a diary for a day
Observe life in a café: this task invites individuals to observe and record life in a café for an afternoon.
Record life in a cafe
Photograph a street: this task invites individuals to take 6 photos or a 5 minute video of their neighbourhood or an area of interest.
Photograph a street
All submissions received before September 20th will remain on the MOCO
website for at least the next three years and will also be donated to
the MassObservation Archive at the University of Sussex.
Additionally,each community group will receive a copy of their group's
submissions at theend of the project.
Please encourage your group members to participate throughout August
and September so that both your group and the MOCO archive can benefit
from further contributions!
Concluding Workshop 22nd September
The last workshop is open to everyone who has participated or who is
interested in learning more about the project and the outcomes. The
workshopwill include a technical session on how to use MOCO style
submission forms sothat community groups can use similar strategies on
their own websites.
12.30 – 4.30 Wednesday 22nd September, Universityof Sussex, Brighton.
Workshop is free and travel is reimbursed.
Register onlinehere.
All the best,
MOCO Team
--
Mass Observation Communities Online (MOCO)
A JISC funded project
Centre for Community Engagement
and The Mass Observation Archive
University of Sussex
www.mocoproject.org.uk
E-mail: info@mocoproject.org.uk
Tel: 01273 877 657
We at the MOCO Project want to thank you for the contributions that
have come from your group so far. You can see all contributions from
your members here: Greenacre Project
“A Day in your Life” 12th September
On Sunday the 12th of September we will be continue with our Mass
Observationinspired 12th of the month submission drive. As with our
August initiative we would like to get as manygroups as possible to
participate but this month we are proposing that groupmembers become
Mass Observers for the day. Mass Observation had a team of observers
that went into avariety of public situations: meetings, religious
occasions, sporting andleisure activities, in the street and at work,
and recorded people's behaviourand surroundings in as much detail as
possible. The material they produced is avaried documentary account of
life in Britain. We are encouraging community group members to be
Observersfor a day to record life in your community.
Last submission day 20th September
Monday 20th September will be the last day that we accept
submissions.Unfortunately the project is already coming to a close
after all positiveengagement we have had with groups across the country.
Answer our questionnaire: this task gives your group members a unique opportunity to answer a historical MO questionnaire from the 1930s!
Questionnaire
Keep a diary for a day: this task invites individuals to write a diary about their experiences and feelings for a day.
Keep a diary for a day
Observe life in a café: this task invites individuals to observe and record life in a café for an afternoon.
Record life in a cafe
Photograph a street: this task invites individuals to take 6 photos or a 5 minute video of their neighbourhood or an area of interest.
Photograph a street
All submissions received before September 20th will remain on the MOCO
website for at least the next three years and will also be donated to
the MassObservation Archive at the University of Sussex.
Additionally,each community group will receive a copy of their group's
submissions at theend of the project.
Please encourage your group members to participate throughout August
and September so that both your group and the MOCO archive can benefit
from further contributions!
Concluding Workshop 22nd September
The last workshop is open to everyone who has participated or who is
interested in learning more about the project and the outcomes. The
workshopwill include a technical session on how to use MOCO style
submission forms sothat community groups can use similar strategies on
their own websites.
12.30 – 4.30 Wednesday 22nd September, Universityof Sussex, Brighton.
Workshop is free and travel is reimbursed.
Register onlinehere.
All the best,
MOCO Team
--
Mass Observation Communities Online (MOCO)
A JISC funded project
Centre for Community Engagement
and The Mass Observation Archive
University of Sussex
www.mocoproject.org.uk
E-mail: info@mocoproject.org.uk
Tel: 01273 877 657
Tuesday 27 July 2010
Mass Observation Community Online (MOCO)
The Greenacre Project has recently become part of an exciting new project and needs your help!
The Mass Observation Communities Online (MOCO) project is working together with community groups from across the country, and we are happy to be one of them.
The project, which is based at the University of Sussex, uses Mass Observation material to assist people to record the changing history of their own communities. The Mass Observation Archive specialises in material about everyday life in Britain. For over 60 years, it has been developing questionnaires and diary writing techniques which build up a picture of life round the country. (see attached history)
The MOCO project is making a selection of MOA material freely available online for the first time. You can visit the MOCO website on www.mocoproject.org.uk and look at the material there and also see how you can become involved.
As a member of Greenacres, you are invited to take part in the project through a series of easy tasks including photography, diary writing and answering a questionnaire.
Learn more about the project at www.mocoproject.org.uk or contact me for further details.
HOW TO TAKE PART:
Answer our questionnaire: this task gives your group members a unique opportunity to answer a historical MO questionnaire from the 1930s!
Keep a diary for a day: this task invites individuals to write a diary about their experiences and feelings for a day.
Observe life in a café: this task invites individuals to observe and record life in a café for an afternoon.
Photograph a street: this task invites individuals to take 6 photos or a 5 minute video of their neighbourhood or an area of interest.
Individuals can participate in any and as many of the tasks as they like. There will be the option for participants to contribute anonymously if desired. All material contributed by your group members will show on you group’s own MOCO page on www.mocoproject.org.uk.
MOCO invites you to participate in…
A day in your Life: 12th August 2010
We are inviting community groups to participate in an exciting nation-wide one day history-making event…
In 1937, Mass Observation (www.massobs.org.uk) called for people from all parts of the UK to record everything they did and thought from when they woke up in the morning to when they went to sleep at night on 12th May. The resulting diaries provide a wonderful glimpse into the everyday lives of all sorts of people in the late 1930s. They are stored, with many other diaries and papers, at the Mass Observation Archive at the University of Sussex.
Mass Observation Communities Online (www.mocoproject.org.uk) is expanding upon this tradition by asking community groups to participate in a nation-wide initiative. On August 12th we are inviting community group members to submit a photo diary of their day (six photos) or a written account of their day via the MOCO website.
The MOCO team does all of the work – the only thing your community group needs to do is ask your group members to participate via our user friendly website – we can provide you with all the relevant information.
With participation across the country, we are aiming to create a national archive of written and photographic accounts that will reflect a day in the life, not only of individuals across the UK, but also of the members of your specific communities. This will result in a valuable record of your community or organisation that each group will be able to keep. The submissions will also be displayed on the MOCO online archive and donated to the historic Mass Observation Archive.
For more info please contact the MOCO team at:
T. 01273 877657
E. info@mocoproject.org.uk
www.mocoproject.org.uk
The Mass Observation Communities Online (MOCO) project is working together with community groups from across the country, and we are happy to be one of them.
The project, which is based at the University of Sussex, uses Mass Observation material to assist people to record the changing history of their own communities. The Mass Observation Archive specialises in material about everyday life in Britain. For over 60 years, it has been developing questionnaires and diary writing techniques which build up a picture of life round the country. (see attached history)
The MOCO project is making a selection of MOA material freely available online for the first time. You can visit the MOCO website on www.mocoproject.org.uk and look at the material there and also see how you can become involved.
As a member of Greenacres, you are invited to take part in the project through a series of easy tasks including photography, diary writing and answering a questionnaire.
Learn more about the project at www.mocoproject.org.uk or contact me for further details.
HOW TO TAKE PART:
Answer our questionnaire: this task gives your group members a unique opportunity to answer a historical MO questionnaire from the 1930s!
Keep a diary for a day: this task invites individuals to write a diary about their experiences and feelings for a day.
Observe life in a café: this task invites individuals to observe and record life in a café for an afternoon.
Photograph a street: this task invites individuals to take 6 photos or a 5 minute video of their neighbourhood or an area of interest.
Individuals can participate in any and as many of the tasks as they like. There will be the option for participants to contribute anonymously if desired. All material contributed by your group members will show on you group’s own MOCO page on www.mocoproject.org.uk.
MOCO invites you to participate in…
A day in your Life: 12th August 2010
We are inviting community groups to participate in an exciting nation-wide one day history-making event…
In 1937, Mass Observation (www.massobs.org.uk) called for people from all parts of the UK to record everything they did and thought from when they woke up in the morning to when they went to sleep at night on 12th May. The resulting diaries provide a wonderful glimpse into the everyday lives of all sorts of people in the late 1930s. They are stored, with many other diaries and papers, at the Mass Observation Archive at the University of Sussex.
Mass Observation Communities Online (www.mocoproject.org.uk) is expanding upon this tradition by asking community groups to participate in a nation-wide initiative. On August 12th we are inviting community group members to submit a photo diary of their day (six photos) or a written account of their day via the MOCO website.
The MOCO team does all of the work – the only thing your community group needs to do is ask your group members to participate via our user friendly website – we can provide you with all the relevant information.
With participation across the country, we are aiming to create a national archive of written and photographic accounts that will reflect a day in the life, not only of individuals across the UK, but also of the members of your specific communities. This will result in a valuable record of your community or organisation that each group will be able to keep. The submissions will also be displayed on the MOCO online archive and donated to the historic Mass Observation Archive.
For more info please contact the MOCO team at:
T. 01273 877657
E. info@mocoproject.org.uk
www.mocoproject.org.uk
Tuesday 15 June 2010
GREENACRE ECO FILM CLUB - MONDAY 28TH JUNE 2010
presents:
Film/Presentation – Earth Whisperers
There will be a showing of the much acclaimed feature film Earth Whisperers by NZ director Kathleen Gallagher. It was filmed in spectacular locations around New Zealand and focuses on a group of New Zealander's who are out to prove that a shift in consciousness can heal the environment.
There will be a discussion about the issues raised by the film led by Kiwi born author Tony Kearney who will also talk about his book: Who Owns the Future? The book merges themes of environmentalism, philosophy, science, psychology, sociology, metaphysics, religion, gender relationships, politics, poverty, and population in its search for ways to address the challenges confronting us.
Refreshments available.
Mon 28TH June 2010 7.30-9.30pm
Blue Beetle Hall, 28 Hendon Lane N3 1TR
Admission by minimum donation £3
For more details: 020 8346 5503
Saturday 22 May 2010
DON'T FORGET:
13TH JUNE 2010 10AM-4PM
Assemble outside artsdepot,
Tally Ho, Nether Street, Finchley, London N12 0GA
Dr Bike from 10-11.30am *** (FREE bike safety checks)
Tel: 020 8346 5503 with enquiries
Registration from 10am or beat the crowds and register online: MrGreenacres001@aol.com
(3-mile circular route from artsdepot to Friary Park plus refreshments AND green ride to Barnet Countryside Centre)
Something needs to be done to raise awareness and use of the bicycle in our area. The Greenacre Bicycle Rally, with your help will do just that. Picture the scene – hundreds of bicycles, fancy dress, flags flying, balloons floating upwards. If you missed it last year, do not miss it this year, as it will be bigger and better than ever.
We will set out on a triangular 3 mile circuit from artsdepot to Friern Barnet up to Whetstone and back down to North Finchley. The complete rally will be one and half laps with a refreshment/entertainment break in the middle at Friary Park. We will be escorted by trained stewards, police cyclists and St John Ambulance cyclists, so the event is safe and suitable for cyclists of all ages and experience providing they have good basic control of their bike and a measure of common sense.
Cyclists will assemble on the paved area outside artsdepot N12 0GA from 10am for a 12-noon departure. All cyclists need to be registered. Please allow enough time to register on the day - registration table closes at 11.30am or better still pre-register by phone or e-mail.
This year we will also be having a green ride that starts from outside Friary Park after our lunch break at 2.15pm. The ride will take the scenic route along Dollis Brook towards Barnet and finish at the Barnet Countryside Centre. There will be an environmental fayre taking place and hopefully tea and homemade cakes for the cyclists.
Monday 29 March 2010
The Greenacre project is a community organisation set up by a group of individuals in order to promote community values, sustainable living, green transport and protection of green spaces.
We have set up GREENACRE TRANSITION FINCHLEY as part of the Transition Town movement. Whilst still at an embryonic stage it is in existence with a steering group and holds regular meetings. Transition Town thinking is all about making the transition from a high carbon lifestyle to a more localised low carbon lifestyle. Food and transport are key issues. Cycling is at the heart of local green transport.
We publish the GREENACRE TIMES bi-monthly. This is a 44 page A5 green community magazine. As well as cycling, we cover environmental issues, green spaces and a littlocal history. The Greenacre Times is now in its third year. We also have the GREENACRE WRITERS, creative writing groups and workshops that meet twice a month.
The GREENACRE BICYCLE RALLY is the focal point of our cycling campaign. This is a high profile, once yearly, mass cycling event run within BIKE WEEK and also as part of the LOVE LONDON green festival in June each year. 2010 will be our third year. Although the GBR attracts both media attention and many participants our cycling campaign is ongoing and perpetual. We hold bicycle maintenance workshops and have helped people repair unroadworthy bikes and taught people in the community basic cycle training to get them started. One woman had not ridden a bicycle for 37 years due to a road accident; by having a series of one-to-one sessions, she slowly gained confidence and even took part in last years bicycle rally. Another young man had bought a bike a few years ago but had been too frightened to ride it on the road, he joined one of our cycle maintenance workshops and we encouraged him to take part in our beginners cycle rides; he too took part in the bicycle rally. We run Dr Bike sessions both at the GBR and the weeks leading up to the event. We are in liaison with various local groups including Local Agenda 21, Barnet Cyclists, Enfield Cyclists, Friends of the Earth and The Barnet Environmental Action For real in Schools’ (known as BEARS) where we have worked with both teachers and pupils in promoting cycling. Incidentally Enfield Cyclists attended the GBR two years ago and were so impressed with our rally that they decided to hold their own festival, they are lucky enough to have full support from Enfield Council. Last year we worked in partnership with The Larches Trust, a registered charity set up to provide care and opportunities for adults who have a learning disability. The Trusts approach is holistic and values each individual. They aim to develop and run vibrant, leisure and recreational programmes. Provide exciting, meaningful learning programmes including independent living skills. Establish supported living where each person feels a sense of belonging. Cultivate inclusive relationships for adults with learning disabilities.
We are very keen to promote cycling in this borough both as a fun recreational activity and as a serious form of transport. We continue to push very hard for cycle lanes, more stands, better training and publicity as well as raise the safety issue, which we have been repeatedly told is a stumbling block to getting people to take to their bikes.
We run the GREENACRE TOOL BANK which is basically a sort of ‘freecycle’ facility centred around tools of every description and have built up quite a number of disused cycles awaiting repair as well as a good collection of spare parts.
Last year we rescued a Bangladeshi rickshaw from outside an arts workshop in Finsbury park. We brought it back to Finchley where I was assisted by a small group of teenagers in restoring it to its former glory. Both myself and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the project – though it’s had work to pedal!
We are currently building a bike trailer from birch plywood, scrap metal and a pair of 15” wheels rescued from our local Council dump. When finished it will join the Rickshaw and ‘Spokey Joe’ (a ‘tent on wheels’ type kiddie trailer) on our promotional tours of local shopping centres.
We are lucky to have a large area of green spaces in the borough and many of these are suitable for cycling. Last year we organised several leisure rides, with the novice in mind. At one of the rides a couple of people confessed they hadn’t had the courage to take their bikes out including one lady who said she had a brand new bike unused for over two years! We allowed 20 minutes for checking bikes for road-worthyness.
Last March I led another group of cyclists to Sanders lane in Mill Hill NW7. This was in support of local residents who were trying to stop plans to have the lane widened and opened to motor traffic. On that day 48 cyclists assembled in my back garden! We were joined by more cyclists on route and eventually totalled 69. The publicity no doubt influenced the council, who subsequently backed down – Sanders lane is till only open to pedestrians, cyclists, dogs and horses.
Several local cycle shops have helped us with tools and equipment. Last year we gave out 80 sets of hi-viz waistcoats and puncture repair kits to children. Our work continues and is very much ongoing. Proper funding would enable us to carry out all our plans for the forthcoming year including cycle training, making cycling videos, cycle workshops, rides and of course the cycle rally which last year had 169 registered riders.
We have set up GREENACRE TRANSITION FINCHLEY as part of the Transition Town movement. Whilst still at an embryonic stage it is in existence with a steering group and holds regular meetings. Transition Town thinking is all about making the transition from a high carbon lifestyle to a more localised low carbon lifestyle. Food and transport are key issues. Cycling is at the heart of local green transport.
We publish the GREENACRE TIMES bi-monthly. This is a 44 page A5 green community magazine. As well as cycling, we cover environmental issues, green spaces and a littlocal history. The Greenacre Times is now in its third year. We also have the GREENACRE WRITERS, creative writing groups and workshops that meet twice a month.
The GREENACRE BICYCLE RALLY is the focal point of our cycling campaign. This is a high profile, once yearly, mass cycling event run within BIKE WEEK and also as part of the LOVE LONDON green festival in June each year. 2010 will be our third year. Although the GBR attracts both media attention and many participants our cycling campaign is ongoing and perpetual. We hold bicycle maintenance workshops and have helped people repair unroadworthy bikes and taught people in the community basic cycle training to get them started. One woman had not ridden a bicycle for 37 years due to a road accident; by having a series of one-to-one sessions, she slowly gained confidence and even took part in last years bicycle rally. Another young man had bought a bike a few years ago but had been too frightened to ride it on the road, he joined one of our cycle maintenance workshops and we encouraged him to take part in our beginners cycle rides; he too took part in the bicycle rally. We run Dr Bike sessions both at the GBR and the weeks leading up to the event. We are in liaison with various local groups including Local Agenda 21, Barnet Cyclists, Enfield Cyclists, Friends of the Earth and The Barnet Environmental Action For real in Schools’ (known as BEARS) where we have worked with both teachers and pupils in promoting cycling. Incidentally Enfield Cyclists attended the GBR two years ago and were so impressed with our rally that they decided to hold their own festival, they are lucky enough to have full support from Enfield Council. Last year we worked in partnership with The Larches Trust, a registered charity set up to provide care and opportunities for adults who have a learning disability. The Trusts approach is holistic and values each individual. They aim to develop and run vibrant, leisure and recreational programmes. Provide exciting, meaningful learning programmes including independent living skills. Establish supported living where each person feels a sense of belonging. Cultivate inclusive relationships for adults with learning disabilities.
We are very keen to promote cycling in this borough both as a fun recreational activity and as a serious form of transport. We continue to push very hard for cycle lanes, more stands, better training and publicity as well as raise the safety issue, which we have been repeatedly told is a stumbling block to getting people to take to their bikes.
We run the GREENACRE TOOL BANK which is basically a sort of ‘freecycle’ facility centred around tools of every description and have built up quite a number of disused cycles awaiting repair as well as a good collection of spare parts.
Last year we rescued a Bangladeshi rickshaw from outside an arts workshop in Finsbury park. We brought it back to Finchley where I was assisted by a small group of teenagers in restoring it to its former glory. Both myself and the boys thoroughly enjoyed the project – though it’s had work to pedal!
We are currently building a bike trailer from birch plywood, scrap metal and a pair of 15” wheels rescued from our local Council dump. When finished it will join the Rickshaw and ‘Spokey Joe’ (a ‘tent on wheels’ type kiddie trailer) on our promotional tours of local shopping centres.
We are lucky to have a large area of green spaces in the borough and many of these are suitable for cycling. Last year we organised several leisure rides, with the novice in mind. At one of the rides a couple of people confessed they hadn’t had the courage to take their bikes out including one lady who said she had a brand new bike unused for over two years! We allowed 20 minutes for checking bikes for road-worthyness.
Last March I led another group of cyclists to Sanders lane in Mill Hill NW7. This was in support of local residents who were trying to stop plans to have the lane widened and opened to motor traffic. On that day 48 cyclists assembled in my back garden! We were joined by more cyclists on route and eventually totalled 69. The publicity no doubt influenced the council, who subsequently backed down – Sanders lane is till only open to pedestrians, cyclists, dogs and horses.
Several local cycle shops have helped us with tools and equipment. Last year we gave out 80 sets of hi-viz waistcoats and puncture repair kits to children. Our work continues and is very much ongoing. Proper funding would enable us to carry out all our plans for the forthcoming year including cycle training, making cycling videos, cycle workshops, rides and of course the cycle rally which last year had 169 registered riders.
Thursday 25 March 2010
Greenacre Eco Film Club
Presents:
Film/Presentation - Earthship Brighton
This was the Low Carbon Trust's first project and was the first Earthship to be built in England. The project was built as a community centre for use by Stanmer Organics, built on a Soil Association accredited site in Brighton. This pioneering demonstration project has evolved over the last six years and enables people to come and experience a cutting edge eco-build and be inspired to respond to climate change in their own ways back at home and work.
Refreshments available.
Mon 26TH April 2010 7.30-9.30pm
Trinity Church Hall, 15 Nether Street, London N12 7NN
Admission by minimum donation £3
For more details: 020 8346 5503
Thursday 25 February 2010
Greenacre Eco Film Club
presents:
A film about the Transition Movement that shows how communities around the world are responding to the dual challenges of climate change and peak oil.
With speakers from:
Transition Stoke Newington
Plus: Village Councils
'Anyone for Finchley Council?'
A way to devolve power to local communities
Presented by Harriet Copperman (OBE)
Snacks & refreshments available.
TUES 9th MARCH 2010 7.30-9.30pm
Blue Beetle Hall, 28 Hendon Lane N3 1TR
Admission by donation
For more details: 020 8346 5503
A film about the Transition Movement that shows how communities around the world are responding to the dual challenges of climate change and peak oil.
With speakers from:
Transition Stoke Newington
Plus: Village Councils
'Anyone for Finchley Council?'
A way to devolve power to local communities
Presented by Harriet Copperman (OBE)
Snacks & refreshments available.
TUES 9th MARCH 2010 7.30-9.30pm
Blue Beetle Hall, 28 Hendon Lane N3 1TR
Admission by donation
For more details: 020 8346 5503
Transition Towns and Peak Oil
Peak Oil -
Globally we now discover only 1 barrel of oil for every 6 we use.
Oil is a finite resource its production is starting to decline whilst demand keeps on rising, pushing prices up.
Peak oil is about the end of cheap and plentiful oil which has fuelled the growth of industrial economies.
Besides transport and heating, our food is currently heavily dependent on oil and gas – for fertilisers and pesticides, irrigation, storage and distribution.
You may wonder what Peak Oil and Transition Towns have in common. Well, Transition Towns is a movement that aims to equip communities for the dual challenges of Climate Change and Peak Oil.
Most people now know what Climate Change is but fewer people are aware of Peak Oil. This is because Governments and the oil industry (and often the two are inexorably linked) are trying to play down the peak and subsequent scarcity of oil.
Today, the world is experiencing a step change in the rate of growth in energy demand owing to rising populations and economic development. After 2015, easily accessible supplies of oil and gas probably will no longer keep up with demand…Although Shell does not subscribe to the peak oil theory, the truth is that the readily accessible sources of conventional oil are being depleted, particularly outside the Middle East.
(Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive of Shell, Jan 2008)
This seems to be something of a paradox. On the one hand Shell are saying that conventional oil is running out but on the other hand they do not subscribe to the Peak Oil theory. This is because Shell is referring to unconventional fossil fuels such as tar sands; ‘…like a sort of iron-oil, but it’s hard to mine, has to be cooked to get the oil out of the sand, and the whole process is dirty, takes a lot of water and energy. It’s hugely expensive and the rate they can be exploited is very slow.’ (GT Sep 2007) And what is the reason oil companies are turning to unconven-tional methods of accessing oil? Quite obviously the conventional stuff has reached its peak and is running out. So although Shell and other oil companies will initially mine these sands, I wonder how long it will be before the shareholders jump the sinking oil-rig? Presumably when their dividends stop paying out and when that happens NOBODY will bother to continue mining tar sands. People like Jeroen can der Veer, now retired, are telling us the truth but trying to veil their admissions with weak denial.
Peak Oil does not have to be catastrophic and it could ultimately help to reduce the effects of Climate Change. However we do have to think about the consequences of less oil or in fact no oil.
What would this mean in our everyday lives?
o No more gas guzzling cars – hurrah?
o No more plastic packaging – hurrah?
o No more plastic credit cards – hurrah?
o No more food miles – hurrah?
o No more air travel – hurrah?
There are many other areas of our lives that would be affected; the clothing industry, national transport infrastructures, food in general and of course energy. Would we really be happy about all these changes?
If oil ran out over night it would be disastrous and even life-threatening especially for those sick and vulnerable people who rely on transport, energy and medicine to keep them well. But I’m sure that many of us could adapt if necessary even pedal a bike if we had to and eventually services would have to become localised.
What would this post-oil town look like? Ideally we would have local food growing gardens, allotments and community spaces. Food waste would be automatically used for compost. We’d all turn to our mothers and grandmothers and ask them to teach us how to sew, knit or crochet. We’d all learn how to fit solar panels. We’d bring back trams and wouldn’t those rickshaws we see in central London suddenly become invaluable. Of course we mustn’t forget the men, our fathers and grandfathers would get those old hand tools out of their sheds and show us how to hand-build houses and furniture. And presumably we’d start looking into natural products, say soap, toothpaste, handcream etc and even have groups that went foraging in the forests, woods and hedgerows.
All in all it could be quite an enjoyable and exciting time – as an added bonus a sustainable economy would grow naturally from the various groups that would form – food; clothing; transport; energy; housing and education. The disappointment experienced by the throwaway society would become a thing of the past and life would have value and meaning once again. Of course if we’re not prepared for the changes that Peal Oil and Climate Change will naturally bring about, the adjustment could take some time but this is where the good news steps in. Some people, some villages, some towns, some countries are already getting prepared for a future, for a life, without oil – a low carbon, local, sustainable lifestyle.
And many of these people are members of Transition Towns. As of January 2010, there were 275 communities recognised as official Transition Towns in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Italy and Chile. While referred to as 'towns' (Totnes), the communities involved range from villages (Kinsale), through council districts (Penwith) to cities and city boroughs (Brixton). And added to these are the hundreds of communities that are mulling things over; thinking about becoming a Transition Town, having meetings, showing films, setting up groups.
In the summer of 2009 a UK Local Authority decided to include all their staff in the responsibility for tackling the community’s carbon footprint and dealing with the potential effects of climate change and Peak Oil. That Local Authority was Taunton Deane Borough Council in Somerset. Over a period of three months, over 350 staff and 26 Councillors attended eleven half day workshops, led by volunteers from Taunton Transition Town. Plumbers, planners, environmental health officers and car park attendants mixed with senior strategy officers, carpenters, Councillors and tree surgeons. On no other occasion had the people who make up this organisation come together in this way. They have created a “Localised” culture and infrastructure, capable of withstanding upheavals in the wider world that are likely to occur as a result of our changing climate and increasingly expensive and insecure oil and gas supplies.
So how does one set about building a Transition Town? I believe it is a little like a tiny snowball rolling down a snowy hill and as it gathers momentum, it starts to grow, getting larger and larger. Just recently the Greenacre Project held one of its eco film clubs and decided to launch, Greenacre Transition Finchley – this comprises of:
o Greenacre Times
o Greenacre Film Club
o Greenacre Bicyle Rally
o Greenacre Writers – Finish That Novel
o Greenacre Writers – Short Story Group
o Greenacre Writers – Life Writing
o Greenacre Writers – Creative Writing Workshops
o Greenacre Toolbank
o Greenacre Eco Art Exhibition
o Greenacre Green Spaces Forum (Spring 2010)
o Greenacre Tree Trust (Autumn 2010)
So, we already have some useful groups that are in the process of growing organically. I also know a very nice lady in East Finchley who is part of a guerilla gardening group – if we think about a post-oil society with lots of hungry people – wouldn’t it be fantastic to pop down to your local green space to pick some fruit or vegetables. Maybe this Guerilla Gardening Group (GGG) might like to become part of Transition Finchley.
Readers may remember that recently we held an eco film club that included John-Paul Flintoff and Rosie Martin (DIY Couture) talking about making their own clothes. We have a few individuals who are now experimenting with making and adapting clothes, one of whom works in a charity shop and picks up some wonderful bargains. Of course Greenacre Transition Finchley is already way ahead of the game with its transport ideas, the Greenacre Bicycle Rally being just one and of course we musn’t forget our very own Bangladeshi Rickshaw which will be ready and willing to take people on short trips around the borough (mind you, we will need some fit young things for the hills!)
We have our writing groups bringing people in our community together and there are plans for an art group which quite naturally could expand into homemade crafts including paper-making and pottery. And as there are a couple of teachers in our groups, we can also turn our hand to a bit of teaching.
So already we’ve covered:
o Food
o Clothing
o Transport
o Education
That just leaves housing and energy – oh, I forgot to mention: fantastic news, we have a speaker coming up from Brighton to talk about their amazing EARTHSHIP wow wow wow. And of course our very own Mike Gee is a Master Carpenter so that just leaves energy….any alternative energy experts out there? Then come and join Transition Finchley, you would be very very welcome.
I don’t like to write in cliches but from little acorns, oak trees grow - this is the ethos behind Transition Towns. A few people get together form a group and that in turn forms a series of sub groups, all partaking in practical actions to increase community resilience and reduce the carbon footprint ready for the potential threats from Peak Oil, Climate Change and the resulting food shortages.
My advice: don’t be overwhelmed; think acorns; plant a few carrots amongst the spring bulbs this year!
Globally we now discover only 1 barrel of oil for every 6 we use.
Oil is a finite resource its production is starting to decline whilst demand keeps on rising, pushing prices up.
Peak oil is about the end of cheap and plentiful oil which has fuelled the growth of industrial economies.
Besides transport and heating, our food is currently heavily dependent on oil and gas – for fertilisers and pesticides, irrigation, storage and distribution.
You may wonder what Peak Oil and Transition Towns have in common. Well, Transition Towns is a movement that aims to equip communities for the dual challenges of Climate Change and Peak Oil.
Most people now know what Climate Change is but fewer people are aware of Peak Oil. This is because Governments and the oil industry (and often the two are inexorably linked) are trying to play down the peak and subsequent scarcity of oil.
Today, the world is experiencing a step change in the rate of growth in energy demand owing to rising populations and economic development. After 2015, easily accessible supplies of oil and gas probably will no longer keep up with demand…Although Shell does not subscribe to the peak oil theory, the truth is that the readily accessible sources of conventional oil are being depleted, particularly outside the Middle East.
(Jeroen van der Veer, Chief Executive of Shell, Jan 2008)
This seems to be something of a paradox. On the one hand Shell are saying that conventional oil is running out but on the other hand they do not subscribe to the Peak Oil theory. This is because Shell is referring to unconventional fossil fuels such as tar sands; ‘…like a sort of iron-oil, but it’s hard to mine, has to be cooked to get the oil out of the sand, and the whole process is dirty, takes a lot of water and energy. It’s hugely expensive and the rate they can be exploited is very slow.’ (GT Sep 2007) And what is the reason oil companies are turning to unconven-tional methods of accessing oil? Quite obviously the conventional stuff has reached its peak and is running out. So although Shell and other oil companies will initially mine these sands, I wonder how long it will be before the shareholders jump the sinking oil-rig? Presumably when their dividends stop paying out and when that happens NOBODY will bother to continue mining tar sands. People like Jeroen can der Veer, now retired, are telling us the truth but trying to veil their admissions with weak denial.
Peak Oil does not have to be catastrophic and it could ultimately help to reduce the effects of Climate Change. However we do have to think about the consequences of less oil or in fact no oil.
What would this mean in our everyday lives?
o No more gas guzzling cars – hurrah?
o No more plastic packaging – hurrah?
o No more plastic credit cards – hurrah?
o No more food miles – hurrah?
o No more air travel – hurrah?
There are many other areas of our lives that would be affected; the clothing industry, national transport infrastructures, food in general and of course energy. Would we really be happy about all these changes?
If oil ran out over night it would be disastrous and even life-threatening especially for those sick and vulnerable people who rely on transport, energy and medicine to keep them well. But I’m sure that many of us could adapt if necessary even pedal a bike if we had to and eventually services would have to become localised.
What would this post-oil town look like? Ideally we would have local food growing gardens, allotments and community spaces. Food waste would be automatically used for compost. We’d all turn to our mothers and grandmothers and ask them to teach us how to sew, knit or crochet. We’d all learn how to fit solar panels. We’d bring back trams and wouldn’t those rickshaws we see in central London suddenly become invaluable. Of course we mustn’t forget the men, our fathers and grandfathers would get those old hand tools out of their sheds and show us how to hand-build houses and furniture. And presumably we’d start looking into natural products, say soap, toothpaste, handcream etc and even have groups that went foraging in the forests, woods and hedgerows.
All in all it could be quite an enjoyable and exciting time – as an added bonus a sustainable economy would grow naturally from the various groups that would form – food; clothing; transport; energy; housing and education. The disappointment experienced by the throwaway society would become a thing of the past and life would have value and meaning once again. Of course if we’re not prepared for the changes that Peal Oil and Climate Change will naturally bring about, the adjustment could take some time but this is where the good news steps in. Some people, some villages, some towns, some countries are already getting prepared for a future, for a life, without oil – a low carbon, local, sustainable lifestyle.
And many of these people are members of Transition Towns. As of January 2010, there were 275 communities recognised as official Transition Towns in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Italy and Chile. While referred to as 'towns' (Totnes), the communities involved range from villages (Kinsale), through council districts (Penwith) to cities and city boroughs (Brixton). And added to these are the hundreds of communities that are mulling things over; thinking about becoming a Transition Town, having meetings, showing films, setting up groups.
In the summer of 2009 a UK Local Authority decided to include all their staff in the responsibility for tackling the community’s carbon footprint and dealing with the potential effects of climate change and Peak Oil. That Local Authority was Taunton Deane Borough Council in Somerset. Over a period of three months, over 350 staff and 26 Councillors attended eleven half day workshops, led by volunteers from Taunton Transition Town. Plumbers, planners, environmental health officers and car park attendants mixed with senior strategy officers, carpenters, Councillors and tree surgeons. On no other occasion had the people who make up this organisation come together in this way. They have created a “Localised” culture and infrastructure, capable of withstanding upheavals in the wider world that are likely to occur as a result of our changing climate and increasingly expensive and insecure oil and gas supplies.
So how does one set about building a Transition Town? I believe it is a little like a tiny snowball rolling down a snowy hill and as it gathers momentum, it starts to grow, getting larger and larger. Just recently the Greenacre Project held one of its eco film clubs and decided to launch, Greenacre Transition Finchley – this comprises of:
o Greenacre Times
o Greenacre Film Club
o Greenacre Bicyle Rally
o Greenacre Writers – Finish That Novel
o Greenacre Writers – Short Story Group
o Greenacre Writers – Life Writing
o Greenacre Writers – Creative Writing Workshops
o Greenacre Toolbank
o Greenacre Eco Art Exhibition
o Greenacre Green Spaces Forum (Spring 2010)
o Greenacre Tree Trust (Autumn 2010)
So, we already have some useful groups that are in the process of growing organically. I also know a very nice lady in East Finchley who is part of a guerilla gardening group – if we think about a post-oil society with lots of hungry people – wouldn’t it be fantastic to pop down to your local green space to pick some fruit or vegetables. Maybe this Guerilla Gardening Group (GGG) might like to become part of Transition Finchley.
Readers may remember that recently we held an eco film club that included John-Paul Flintoff and Rosie Martin (DIY Couture) talking about making their own clothes. We have a few individuals who are now experimenting with making and adapting clothes, one of whom works in a charity shop and picks up some wonderful bargains. Of course Greenacre Transition Finchley is already way ahead of the game with its transport ideas, the Greenacre Bicycle Rally being just one and of course we musn’t forget our very own Bangladeshi Rickshaw which will be ready and willing to take people on short trips around the borough (mind you, we will need some fit young things for the hills!)
We have our writing groups bringing people in our community together and there are plans for an art group which quite naturally could expand into homemade crafts including paper-making and pottery. And as there are a couple of teachers in our groups, we can also turn our hand to a bit of teaching.
So already we’ve covered:
o Food
o Clothing
o Transport
o Education
That just leaves housing and energy – oh, I forgot to mention: fantastic news, we have a speaker coming up from Brighton to talk about their amazing EARTHSHIP wow wow wow. And of course our very own Mike Gee is a Master Carpenter so that just leaves energy….any alternative energy experts out there? Then come and join Transition Finchley, you would be very very welcome.
I don’t like to write in cliches but from little acorns, oak trees grow - this is the ethos behind Transition Towns. A few people get together form a group and that in turn forms a series of sub groups, all partaking in practical actions to increase community resilience and reduce the carbon footprint ready for the potential threats from Peak Oil, Climate Change and the resulting food shortages.
My advice: don’t be overwhelmed; think acorns; plant a few carrots amongst the spring bulbs this year!
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