September 2014 – Transition Network Newsletter
By Mike Grenville 4th September 2014
Do you remember that our theme was about not doing stuff? That is pretty much what happened in August! However we still have some news to share that includes the latest Transition Free Press, news from REconomy, Permaculture, thoughts on supermarkets, book reviews and new training.
Transition Free Press
We’re out! New Autumn issue is published
In this sixth issue you can find our signature mix of the practical, political and the philosophical. In line with a renewed push towards climate action this autumn, we’re focusing on fossil fuel divestment and climate activism. We are also showing how the humble acts of fermenting cabbage and saving seeds are also radical acts of liberation, why in the face of increased corporate control we are out digging fields, brewing beer, helping our neighbour, telling our own story, doing art in whatever place we find ourselves.
On paper and on-line, our new action-packed edition number 6 can be now found in shops, cafes and at Transition events across the UK. If you can’t put your hands on a copy or have not had one through the door, you can also find it here:
http://transitionfreepress.org/2014/09/01/were-out-new-autumn-issue-is-published-today/
REconomy Project
Community Supported Enterprise
What can a community do to incubate and support the kinds of local enterprises that best serve the interests of that community? Transition Towns Totnes & Brixton are exploring this question…
http://www.reconomy.org/community-supported-enterprise-how-might-that-work/
REconomy in Europe
The national hubs exploring REconomy have created a great summary of over 20 Transition-oriented enterprises emerging in Belgium, Croatia, Italy, Latvia and the Netherlands
http://www.reconomy.org/inspiring-enterprises/more-inspiring-enterprises-from-around-europe/
THINKING ALOUD
Addressing Drought by Thinking Like a Forest
Writing in The Guardian, Rob Hopkins argues that the best way to tackle drought is by learning from how forests manage water.
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/22/putting-a-stop-to-water-waste-why-local-initiatives-are-key
Can Supermarkets Ever Be Sustainable?
Walmart’s new boss is on a mission. In this Guardian article, Rob Hopkins asks whether his drive for renewable energy and waste reduction will transform the supermarket model?
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/aug/26/can-supermarkets-ever-be-sustainable
Permaculture and Transition
Having spent two years travelling the Americas, Phil Moore and his girlfriend Lauren are currently touring the UK visiting projects, places and people working toward sustainable, sane and human futures.
http://transitionfreepress.org/2014/08/25/on-the-edge-how-permaculture-and-transition-meet/
TRAINING
We have a new training piloting next month, Permaculture for Transition. You will learn how to apply permaculture principles to transition projects, enterprises, and your life! Launch OnLine is having it fourth outing beginning October 8th. Our next train the trainers is happening in November in Sweden. Details of up and training here:
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/events/network-training
BOOKS
The Second Life of Sally Mottram
Rob Hopkins reviews the first novel in which Transition plays a key role, published by one of the UK’s largest publishers. Written by David Nobbs, one of Britain’s best known comedy writers, he finds that it captures the power of one person deciding it’s time to do something and how infectious that can be.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/blogs/rob-hopkins/2014-09/second-life-sally-mottram-review
The Collapse of Western Civilization
Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway are science historians, and they are hopping mad at folks who deny that humans are the primary cause of climate change. Their outrage inspired them to write a 112-page science fiction rant that reviewer Richard Reese describes as a gusher of intoxicating hope and optimism.
http://wildancestors.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/the-collapse-of-western-civilization.html
RESEARCH
Local Food Enthusiasts
You are invited to participate in a survey on Local Food Initiatives. Its purpose is to better understand the challenges, issues, barriers and opportunities in transitioning communities towards sustainable food systems. The results will be included in a research paper being submitted to The Open University. The survey is online until 5th October.
http://tinyurl.com/lceafmc
COMING UP
UK Permaculture Convergence
12-14 September. London
A diverse range of workshops, practical sessions, a visit to a very well established local permaculture LAND centre, project case studies, Diploma presentations, networking, exhibitions, woodland walks, games, adventure activities and lots, lots more!
http://www.permaculture.org.uk/noticeboard/event/convergence/uk-permaculture-convergence-2014-09-12
Celebrating Green Open Homes – September
An opportunity to ask a neighbour about an energy saving improvment that they’ve made, and see if it might work for you.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-09-01/celebrating-green-open-homes
5th German Transition (Un-)Conference
3-5 October Zierenberg near Kassel
About 100-150 Transitioners and other activists from all over Germany, Austria and Switzerland – plus Ben Brangwyn from the Transition Network – will gather for 3 joyful days of sharing, learning, listening and celebrating. Films, Talks, Workshops, Transition Theater, book presentations plus many associated organisations will also put their knowledge and wisdom on display. The 3 main themes will be ‘REconomy/local Economy/alternative Economy’, ‘(skillfull) Groupwork’ and ‘Strengthening our Transition Netzwerk D/A/CH’. All sessions will be held in German except the international sessions with Ben.
http://www.transition-initiativen.org/page/netzwerktreffen-2014-1
Real World Economics Workshop – Well & Good Project
4-5 October. Bridport, Devon
This workshop training includes practical tools to engage your community, thought provoking presentations, group discussions and fun interactive exercises that will equip you to be an effective change-maker in your community.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/events/2014-10-04/real-world-economics-workshop-well-good-project
Transition Network Roadshows:
St Andrews, Scotland 10-11 October
Penwith, Cornwall 6-7 February 2015
Bristol mid March 2015
Berkhamsted mid April 2015
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/roadshow
September’s theme on the website is ‘Making Space for Nature’. The theme opens at dusk in a field near Plymouth, where something unusual in a hedgerow leads us into an exploration about why Transition initiatives need to make space for nature in their work.
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/blogs/rob-hopkins/2014-08/why-transition-needs-sense-wonder
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts“. Rachel Carson
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Film Reviews
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/films
Transition Youtube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/transitiontowns
Resources — Editor’s Picks
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/resources
Find previous editions of the newsletter here
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/tags/transition-network-newsletter
Read this newsletter online
http://www.transitionnetwork.org/news/2014-09-04/september-2014-transition-network-newsletter
Subscribe to Transition newsletter:
http://tinyurl.com/transitionregister
This newsletter is published on the first Friday of each month.
Next newsletter is 3 October 2014
Newsletter Editor: Mike Grenville,
from Transition Forest Row for the Transition Network
Contact: mgrenville@gmail.com