[OKC] What action steps do we as individuals and concerned citizens need to be doing?

[Shauna Lawyer Struby]

Rita – 

 

I empathize with your feelings of depression – these are indeed challenging times. You asked in your email below, “… What action steps do we as individuals and concerned citizens need to be doing?” 

Great question. There are a diversity of perspectives on this and multiple perspectives make us stronger. Coincidentally Randy Marks one of Transition OKC’s core group members, SOKC board member, and owner of  <http://www.landandform.net/> Land+Form, a whole systems land use planning and design company, wrote a blog post (see below) for Sustainable OKC’s Fresh Greens blog last week that eloquently provides at least one answer to the question you raise. 

Why <http://freshgreens.typepad.com/fresh_greens/2010/06/why-i-am-in-transition.html>  I am in Transition

There is a one-word reason for my involvement in Transition, and that is Permaculture. Permaculture, to me, has the best toolkit for changing the various elements of our worlds for the better, and for facing the challenges posed by peak oil, climate change, and societal instability. The Transition movement is firmly rooted in the ethics, principles, and practices of Permaculture.

One of the definitions of Permaculture (which means both "permanent culture" and “permanent agriculture") is: a design system for creating sustainable human settlements. It is founded on three core ethics, which are care for the earth, care for people, and equal shares all around. It is guided by a set of principles <http://permacultureprinciples.com/index.php>  largely developed from a close observation of how nature works. For a powerful demonstration of Permaculture in practice, see greening the <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sohI6vnWZmk>  desert.

Transition was begun as an class exercise in a Permaculture course taught in Ireland by Rob Hopkins. It is the response to the question of how can we best prepare for the impacts likely to come from the one-two punch of peak oil and climate change. Both of these developments have the potential to seriously, seriously disrupt what we think of as normal life, and to do it in the near future. We don't know and can't know exactly what these disruptions will entail, but we can make some pretty good guesses. It seems smart to prepare. 

As part of the preparation Transition emphasizes the building of community. We become more resilient when we have strong bonds with diverse people with varied outlooks, talents, and knowledge. It encourages localization because the long supply lines for goods and services are likely to be damaged when fuel becomes expensive or scarce. It promotes self-development in skills necessary for the functioning of a society and culture. There is much more, and you can read about some of it here: TransitionUS <http://www.transitionus.org/> . Or, start by reading about the our own local efforts at TransitionOKC <http://www.goinglocalokc.com/> 

 <http://www.goinglocalokc.com/> John Michael Greer has recently suggested (Archdruid) that we get over our infantile projections onto the future by using the mantra "There is no brighter future ahead." I agree. But there is a worthwhile future, and we have a responsibility to make it as good as possible for those who come after us.

 <http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/waiting-for-millennium.html> Life requires that we are always in transition. Big events are likely to conspire to make transition dramatic and compelling. Transition aims to make that transition as bright for the planet and its citizens as possible. 

 <http://thearchdruidreport.blogspot.com/2010/06/waiting-for-millennium.html> Posted by Randy Marks, Transition OKC initiating group, Sustainable OKC board member, and owner of Land+Form, whole systems land use planning and design.

To help folks explore The Transition Handbook and framework and how they might use the Transition tools wherever they are to make Energy Transition Plans, Sustainable NE Seattle put together a downloadable Transition Handbook discussion course to be used by any one person, or group. It’s designed to be run by participants themselves so no need for an “expert.” Transition OKC used portions of it earlier this year and found it easy to use, clarifying, empowering. Our book study served as the catalyst for several projects that are now underway here in OKC. In case it’s useful here’s a link to it ::: http://transitionseattle.com/resources/discussion/.

Hang in there!

 

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Warmest regards – 

 

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Shauna, OKC

 

 

 <http://www.landandform.net/> From: Rita Scott [mailto:rejuvrita at olp.net] 
Sent: Wednesday, June 16, 2010 5:16 PM
To: ok-sus at lists.oksustainability.org
Subject: Fwd: [SGCdiscuss] Fwd: LEED Workshop: BD+C 301: Implementing the Building Design + Construction LEED Rating System [1 Attachment]

 <http://www.landandform.net/> 


 <http://www.landandform.net/> We need to encourage our architects,  and home builders  to implement , construct and design energy efficient buildings, now--- more than ever before. 

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Honestly, after listening this morning to NPR, discussing  the oil spill disaster, it leaves me depressed and wondering what action steps, we as individuals and concerned citizens need to be doing.

 <http://www.landandform.net/>  We must reduce our oil consumption and transition to clean, free and abundant sources of  energy, such as sunlight and wind.  Additionally,  building smarter, more efficient homes and offices, could make a huge impact on energy consumption.

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Note this workshop is open to the public.

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Rita Scott

 <http://www.landandform.net/> President, Sustainable Green Country

 <http://www.landandform.net/> 918.640.5408

 <http://www.landandform.net/> 


 <http://www.landandform.net/>  

 <http://www.landandform.net/> BD+C 301: Implementing the Building Design + Construction LEED Rating System presented by the U.S. Green Building Council

 <http://www.landandform.net/> This workshop is intended for professionals who are familiar with the LEED for New

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Construction or LEED for Core & Shell Rating System, but new to implementing it on

 <http://www.landandform.net/> projects or looking to brush up on implementation best practices. It is also

 <http://www.landandform.net/> appropriate for those pursuing GBCIs LEED AP Building Design + Construction

 <http://www.landandform.net/> credential.

 <http://www.landandform.net/> An official USGBC LEED Faculty member will walk the class through the phases of a

 <http://www.landandform.net/> typical project, including key decisions that project teams must make and guidance

 <http://www.landandform.net/> on how to make them. Throughout the day, you will engage with other participants

 <http://www.landandform.net/> in interactive activities that use case examples to enable you to work hands-on

 <http://www.landandform.net/> with the LEED Rating System.

 <http://www.landandform.net/>  

 <http://www.landandform.net/> COST:

 <http://www.landandform.net/> USGBC National Member:  $375(before 09/16/10), $405(late registration)

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Non-member: $450(before 09/16/10), $500(late registration)

 <http://www.landandform.net/> Student & Group discounts are also available (See https://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2111 prior to online registration for additional information.)

 <https://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2111>  

 <https://www.usgbc.org/DisplayPage.aspx?CMSPageID=2111> Online Registration: https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336> NOTE: This course was formerly called "Green Building Design + Construction: The LEED Implementation Process."

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336>  

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336> Kim Limbaugh, LEED AP

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336> Scott&Goble Architects 

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336> 1437 South Boulder Ave., Suite 550
Tulsa, Oklahoma  74119.3609

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336> 918.587.8602 x 231 (direct)
918.587.8600 (p)
918.587.8601 (f)

 <https://www.usgbc.org/CourseCatalog/coursedetail.aspx?ID=90000336> kiml at scottgoble.com

 <mailto:kiml at scottgoble.com> www.scottgoble.com

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