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Post Carbon Newsletter #12 February 2006

1. Boulder Valley Relocalization Network Conference Recap

2. Relocalization Network Map

3. Introducing new Post Carbon Institute board director Anthony Duggleby

4. Introducing new Municipal Action Plan coordinator Ellen Bicheler

5. Paul Mobbs' new book "Energy Beyond Oil"

6. Featured Region: Ithaca, New York

7. PCI Newsletter & Member Survey

8. Calendar of Events

9. Next Newsletter Preview

1. Boulder Valley Relocalization Network Conference Recap

Local Post Carbon Groups can look to Boulder Valley Relocalization (BVR) in Boulder, Colorado for an example of how a small group of citizens concerned about the imminent energy crisis can effectively raise public awareness about peak oil, and initiate relocalization efforts. BVR has in a very short time been able to evolve into an active and influential local Post Carbon Group.

On January 14th, BVR held a successful relocalization conference and resource expo, attracting over 450 attendees. Preceded by a documentary film night held in four different locations, the GOING LOCAL conference featured talks by Dr. Albert Bartlett, Julian Darley and Megan Quinn, and also hosted a premiere of the documentary film "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil". The conference prompted the development of new planning groups that are currently working on different relocalization strategies for the Boulder community.

The event successfully increased local and regional awareness, informed the public and attracted media attention to the challenges and opportunities of peak oil. This high level of success was not only a triumph for the Boulder Valley Relocalization group, it was also a success for the entire network. Successes experienced by one local group can be shared throughout the network, contributing to the overall progression of the Relocalization strategy.

BVR is willing to help fledgling organizations get started by providing background information, notes from working group meetings, agendas and details of their process on their website.

To learn more about the challenges and achievements of Boulder Valley Relocalization, go here for the full article.

2. Relocalization Network Map

We are pleased to introduce a new interactive map of our Relocalization Network. This map indicates the location of each of the Post Carbon Local Groups, and by clicking on the location you are interested in, you will immediately be linked to the webpage of that group! We thank James Zack for all of his hard work on the creation and development of the map. Check it out on our website.

3. Introducing new Post Carbon Institute board director Anthony Duggleby

Mr. Duggleby is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Katabatic Power, a wind energy company operating out of California. Along with serving on the Energy Farm Advisory Panel at Post Carbon Institute, Anthony is now also serving as a member of our board of directors. Mr. Duggleby is a Canadian wind energy pioneer with several decades of construction experience in West Coast waters. His previous positions include COO of Sea Breeze Power Corp, where he and his team aquired the first ever environmental permit for a wind farm in B.C, and CEO of Sea Breeze Pacific Regional Transmission System. Educated at Norwich University/Vermont College, Mr. Duggleby is a Marine Engineer as well as a Licensed Commercial Ship Captain. We are excited and honored to have Mr. Duggleby join our board of directors and we look forward to his invaluable contributions to Post Carbon Institute. Welcome!

4. Introducing Ellen Bicheler: Powerdown Sebastopol Coordinator

Ellen Bicheler joins Post Carbon Institute as Powerdown Sebastopol Coordinator. She will be based at and working with Richard Heinberg and New College, Santa Rosa, California. Ellen has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for 30 years, but grew up in New York, receiving a Bachelor's degree in English in 1975 at State University College of New York at Brockport. A lifetime activist, Ellen has experience in freelance writing, non-profit work and sustainability education in local schools.

As Powerdown Sebastopol Coordinator, Ellen is working with students at New College to formulate a report for the city of Sebastopol. The students have chosen the categories of food security, water, sewer systems, police, fire, emergency agencies and transportation in which to assess current vulnerabilities and to identify alternative low-energy systems. The students sent their first report to Sebastopol earlier this month and will explain this work and answer questions for Sebastopol's council. Click here to read more about Ellen Bicheler

5. Paul Mobbs' new book "Energy Beyond Oil"

Energy Beyond Oil by Paul Mobbs comprises a whole body of research produced by the Energy Beyond Oil Project from 2003 to 2004. This Project is a collaborative effort between environmental researchers and campaign groups who are working toward providing the public with an informed and clear portrayal of our global energy future.

Energy Beyond Oil suggests that the imminent arrival of a peak in oil production will force societies to find new sources of energy. The book proposes that alternative energy sources such as coal, nuclear and renewables will not sufficiently provide us with the energy necessary to maintain current consumption levels. Mobbs questions why national politicians do not discuss the daunting prospects of an energy scarce future, and suggests that the notion of contracting our lifestyles and reducing our reliance on cheap energy is too unpalatable for political leaders to serve up to the general public. This book seeks to end this reckless silence by bringing energy issues to the public forum and by campaigning for a wholesale reduction in energy consumption. With the entire reference section of the book available online, Energy Beyond Oil is not only a candid presentation of our energy future, but it is also provides readers with an invaluable source of reference materials to further their knowledge on the future of energy.

Energy Beyond Oil is available for purchase in the Post Carbon Bookstore.

Post Carbon Institute's sister organization, Global Public Media, interviewed Paul Mobbs in November 2005. Click here to listen.

6. Featured Region: Ithaca, New York

Ithaca New York is a region with rich political and social activity. The natural resources of the area combined with a large student population and a lengthy political history has resulted in the development of a highly active and socially aware community. This area is composed of many awareness groups and organizations that are working to implement relocalization strategies in response to the challenges of peak oil.

One such organization is the Tompkins County Relocalization Project, which is working to help the region develop the ability to provide its own goods, services and energy. This group also actively shares the scope of the project with other groups and individuals in the community by providing presentations on peak oil, offering responses to the problem, and by serving as a general umbrella organization for other groups working on related initiatives. Some of the local organizations that share research, ideas and collaborate on relocalization projects through this loosely affiliated network are; Post Carbon Ithaca Outpost, The Ithaca Green Builders Alliance, Finger Lakes Permaculture, GreenStar Co-operative, Ithaca Farmers' Market, EcoVillage at Ithaca, Ithaca Car Share and the Rural Health Network. Ithaca is also the home of the Ithaca HOURS, one of the most well known local currency systems in the United States, The Cornell University Co-operative Extension, which is sponsoring the Buy Local Food Campaign, and Sustainable Tompkins, a collective of various groups promoting sustainable activities in the area.

This diverse collection of local organizations continues to grow and thrive in Ithaca as a result of strong interdependent relationships within the community that are built on a foundation of mutual support and cooperation. This network of local initiatives demonstrates how community groups including the Post Carbon Ithaca Outpost can work together to develop successful relocalization strategies by sharing information, ideas and resources.

7. PCI Newsletter & Member Survey

The Post Carbon Institute website is currently in the redesign process, where is will be receiving a much needed structural, design and content overhaul. In order to facilitate the process of developing this site into a functional and valuable information resource we would love to have your input! Please follow this link http://www.postcarbon.org/feedback to participate in a short questionnaire and to offer your comments and recommendations. Your opinion is valuable to us, and we thank you for helping us create a better website!

8. Calendar of Events

Thursday, February 16th, 2006 - 7:00 - 9:00 pm: Dave Room hosts Bay Area Relocalize: Preparing for the End of Cheap Oil. A special event at the Ecology Center, 2530 San Pablo Avenue (near Dwight Way), Berkeley, CA 94702. The panel discussion features Aaron Lehmer and Amanda Bellerby of Bay Area Relocalize, Bethany Schroeder of the Tompkins County Relocalization Project, and Brahm Ahmadi of Peoples Grocery.

In response to the growing public concern over climate change and the imminent decline in the supply of cheap oil, Post Carbon Institute has launched an exciting new project called Bay Area Relocalize. The project is assessing the use of resources in the region and is developing a strategy for communities to localize the production of food, energy and essential goods. The project connects neighborhoods, businesses, and community groups that are working to reduce the consumption of resources obtained from outside the region and to replace them with locally sourced goods. Aspects of the project include creating community gardens, installing solar panels on homes and businesses, capturing rainwater, improving public transit, and building affordable homes closer to the workplace. This two hour public event will feature presentations on the Bay Area Relocalize project and will also include a question and answer period. A donation of $5.00-$20.00 is requested to help further the efforts of both Bay Area Relocalize and The Ecology Center. For more information, please call (tel) 510 548-2220 ext 233.

9. Next Newsletter Preview

More on local energy farms, plus we'll feature another Post Carbon group making relocalization waves.

• Begin building Parallel Public Infrastructure (we are working on research and guidelines)


• Write letters to the editor of your newspapers and to your local politicians-- (mention Peak Oil and Gas)


• Tell your friends and neighbors what's happening


• Start a Post Carbon Outpost


• Forward this newsletter to others


• Support our efforts by becoming a member

The Post Carbon Institute newsletter is designed to inform you of the work of the Institute, which is to help educate and prepare communities for a world of declining oil production. For North Americans and those in the British Isles and New Zealand, peak oil is compounded by heavy dependence on now declining natural gas production.

Help us get this message out to the rest of the world -- please forward this email and encourage your friends, family members, co-workers, planners, policy makers, and politicians to subscribe.

Post Carbon Institute is an Initiative of MetaFoundation.

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Post Carbon Institute is an Initiative of Metafoundation, Incorporated in Eugene, Oregon