Many transition initiatives have Heart and Soul groups to help those who are deeply concerned about the changes coming about in the climate, fuel costs, economy, and society. Bob Dylan wrote “The Times They are A’changin’”. Indeed, whether we take action or not to stabilize the climate, resource depletion, or the economy, there will be radical changes in the way we live and the ways in which we face the world. Continue reading
Finding Meaning in Collapse
The threats of economic failure, oil depletion, climate catastrophe, and ecosystem collapse loom large in our lifetimes and in the decades to come. Even the collapse of industrial civilization is not out of the question according to environmentalist Lester Brown in “Plan B 4.0: Mobilizing to Save Civilization”, as he surveys the increasing failure of nation states such as Haiti, Zimbabwe, and Somalia. We stand to experience the decay of centralized systems and infrastructure as the crises of the 21st century deepen. Continue reading
Posted in Climate Change, Localization, Peak Oil, Transition
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Nuclear Energy Forum on February 27
Transition Centreville & Clifton will present the Nuclear Energy Forum on Monday February 27 at 7 pm at the Sully District Government Center at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd.
Longtime nuclear activist John Steinbach will be the principal speaker. Mr. Steinbach, has written extensively on environmental, economic, social justice and nuclear issues. His published works include the map and database Deadly Radiation Hazards USA co-authored with his late wife Louise Franklin-Ramirez. Other titles include Environmentalism & Social Change, The Israeli Nuclear Weapons Program, Comparing Israel’s & Iran’s Nuclear Programs, Nuclear Nightmare:The Bush Administration and U.S. Nuclear War-Fighting Policy and numerous other articles. He recently appeared on the Democracy Now! show. Continue reading
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Home Water Conservation Workshop on Monday January 23
The Home Water Conservation Workshop will be presented by Transition Centreville & Clifton on Monday 7pm, January 23 at the Sully District Government Center at 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard.
Stephen Vandivere will show how to install and use rain barrels. Rain barrels receive water from home gutters reducing the impact of runoff to streams and providing water for lawns and gardens. John Steinbach will tell of his experiences with drip irrigation gardening. Drip irrigation is used for home gardens to water plants more efficiently, save water and money, and reduce plant diseases. As a long time backbacker and camper, biologist Jackson Harper will talk about acquiring and purifying water during emergencies. In the event of heavy snowfall or violent storms that bring down power lines and reduce mobility, it is essential to have a supply of water for a few days for household use.
Jackson Harper
Posted in Energy, Food, Transition
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Carfree Mobility Forum on Monday November 28
The Centreville & Clifton Carfree Mobility Forum to discuss biking, walking, and public transit will be held on Monday November 28 at 7pm at the Sully District Government Center at 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, west of the Westfields Exit on Hwy 28. Speakers will include Bruce Wright and Fionnuala Quinn of Fairfax Advocates for Better Biking, Mike Coyle of Sully District Government on public transit, and Stephen Vandivere on walking from home to local shopping centers. Continue reading
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Centreville Climate Change Forum
The free Centreville Climate Change Forum will be held on Monday October 24 at 7pm at the Sully District Government Center, 4900 Stonecroft Boulevard, sponsored by Transition Centreville & Clifton. Jackson Harper, PhD Environmental Biology & Public Policy, will make a presentation on the latest scientific findings, the forecasts for Virginia, and actions that we can take. Discussion will follow. Continue reading
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Is it “Game Over” for the Climate?
Our top climate scientist Dr. James Hansen of NASA says that it is conceivable that climate stability can be restored if we phase down carbon dioxide emissions from coal over the next few decades and leave unconventional fossil fuels such as tar sands in the ground. Otherwise, “it is essentially game over” for the climate. Continue reading
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Centreville Electric Car Forum on September 26
An Electric Car Forum open free to the public will be held on Monday September 26 at 7pm at the Centreville Regional Library sponsored by Transition Centreville / Clifton. Local auto dealers have been invited to update us and answer questions about their new electric cars and plug-in hybrid-electric cars. Discussions will center around but not limited to the Nissan Leaf, the Toyota Prius Plugin-Hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt, the Mitsubishi MiEV, and the Ford Focus Electric. Continue reading
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Are Electric Cars a Dead End?
Are electric cars a “dead end” as opined by James Howard Kunstler, author of “The Long Emergency”, or will automobiles continue the long arc of personal transportation in the United States? Kunstler sees suburbia and its reliance on cars diminishing as energy descent and resource shortages ensue. Aside from the 383 million gallons of increasingly expensive gasoline used every day to power the U.S. fleet of more than 200 million gasoline vehicles, it takes about 3800 gallons of oil to manufacture a car. Continue reading
Posted in Energy, Peak Oil, Transportation
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Globalization meets Localization
Before the onrush of globalization Ladakh on the western Himalayan Plateau was a harmonious Shangri-La of happy people according to linguist Helena Norbert-Hodge who began her work there in the 1970’s. She says that even though the climatic extremes are harsh, people were well housed, fed, and nurtured by each other. Old and young respected and worked together bringing up new generations and singing as they performed tasks without machines. Their unhurried and joyous lives were integrated with nature and the seasons. Continue reading
Posted in Food, Localization, Transition
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