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Post Carbon Newsletter - January 2009
Post Carbon Newsletter - January 2009
Last week, the 44th President of the United States was sworn into office, heralded by many—whether for his ancestry or the promise of his campaign—as the embodiment of change. In an inauguration address notable for its sobriety, President Obama spoke articulately of the "gathering clouds and raging storms" that threaten this country. And he called upon us to act:
"Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin the work of remaking America."
Indeed, the time has come to act. To change. And we at Post Carbon Institute are doing both.
I'm excited to announce new partnerships and new strategies that will significantly further our ability to help citizens, groups, businesses, and governments around the world manage the transition towards resilient, sustainable communities. These include:
- Partnership with Transition United States to inspire and support communities in their efforts to address the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change
- Adoption of EnergyBulletin.net, a clearinghouse of information and insight about the peak of global energy supply
- Publication of "The Real New Deal: Energy Scarcity and the Path to Energy, Economic, and Environmental Recovery," written for the incoming Obama Administration
Climate change, peak oil, peak water, peak topsoil, peak food... peak everything. All of the bills for society's century-long industrial fiesta are coming due at the same time, and at a moment when the world is collectively broke due to a profound global economic crisis.
Solving these crises is going to take all the coordination, collaboration, and concentration we can muster. In the face of these new challenges and opportunities, Post Carbon Institute is shifting its programmatic focus.
We have made lasting impact and inspired countless people through the development of Global Public Media, the Relocalization Network, Solar Car Share, the Energy Garden, and Post Carbon Cities. As we concentrate our energy on becoming the "think tank for the transition," we pass the baton to those making tremendous strides in developing on-the-ground, replicable models of re-localization. And we give our deepest appreciation to staff who have brought us here: Shelby Tay, Laurel Hoyt, Andrew Calvo, Jason Arnold, and especially our founders, Celine Rich and Julian Darley. We wish them all the best in their new endeavors.
Please stay tuned over the coming months as we share further news, insights, and opportunities.
Yours,
Asher Miller
Executive Director
1. The Real New Deal
On 13th January Post Carbon Institute released the Real New Deal: Energy Scarcity and the Path to Energy, Economic, and Environmental Recovery. This plan is Post Carbon's proposal for the Obama Administration's response to the economic, environmental, and energy challenges we face. The plan has received widespread backing including endorsements from Bill McKibben, Michael Moore, Debbie Cook, Lester Brown, Randy Udall and Pat Murphy.
From the Executive Summary: Our continued national dependence on fossil fuels is creating a dangerous vulnerability to both long-term fuel scarcity and catastrophic climate change.
The current economic crisis requires substantial national policy shifts and enormous new government injections of capital into the economy. This provides an opportunity for a project whose scope would otherwise be inconceivable: a large-scale, fast-track transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
This project must happen immediately; indeed, it may already be too late...
- Executive Summary
- Part 1 - Overview: Need & Scope
- Part 2 - The Problem
- Part 3 - What Governments Are Saying
- Part 4 - The Solution
- Part 5 - Requirements for Energy Transition
- Part 6 - Conclusion
Add your signature endorsing the proposal
2. Commentary Highlights
Keep up to date on energy issues with Post Carbon Institute's commentary feature. Staff, Fellows and guest contributors post short, daily responses to the news of the day. Below are a few highlights from the past month. Be sure to visit our commentaries page regularly for more.
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Slo-mo Splat Richard Heinberg • January 5, 2009 Remember the wall that environmentalists (like the 1972 "Limits to Growth" authors) have long been saying that industrial society would eventually hit? Permit me to make the formal introduction: Industrial society, meet wall; wall, meet industrial society.... Read more |
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The Shape of the Recovery Richard Heinberg • January 7, 2009 An article on the Bloomberg website today suggests that Asia will have a "V-shape" recovery from the current economic crisis, rebounding in 2010. This is opposed to a "U-shape" recovery, which would presumably take a little longer... Read more |
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Opportunity for FUNDAMENTAL Change Richard Heinberg • January 9, 2009 An article by Neil Reynolds in Friday's GLOBE AND MAIL, titled "Obama's energy quick fix bound for the slag heap," quotes University of Manitoba Professor Vaclav Smil to support its thesis.... Read more |
3. Relocalization Network and Transition United States
We are excited to announce that Post Carbon Institute has launched a partnership with Transition United States to continue to inspire and support communities as they shift quickly away from dependence on fossil fuels. The challenges we now face as a result of peak oil and climate change require all the collaboration and coordination we can muster. Rather than have two similar but distinct efforts to aid citizens as they prepare for a post carbon world, we are pleased to work together with the Transition movement, which has been hugely successful in establishing relocalization projects around the world... ...Transition initiatives are growing by leaps and bounds in New Zealand and Australia and are just beginning in earnest in Canada. Browse the emerging list of official Transition Initiatives worldwide. The Transition model is an excellent compliment to the work that Relocalization Network groups have been doing over the past few years. It is a valuable tool to engage the community and bring enthusiasm and creativity to the discussion about how communities work together. We hope that the relationships that have developed within the network will continue to thrive in this new partnership, and that it will also lead to the initiation and nurture of new projects. Read more...
4. Post Carbon and Energy Bulletin
Post Carbon Institute announced January 14 that it was adopting EnergyBulletin.net as a core program. In this post, EnergyBulletin.net's Managing Editor Bart Anderson introduces EB and explains why this marriage is a good thing.
With social changes coming faster than ever, we need a more robust organization so we can continue to support the community that's grown up around peak oil and sustainability. Read more...
Some favorites from January
Many of the articles during the last month on Energy Bulletin had an upbeat tone, in spite of the bad news about the economy.
Advice to President Obama: an actuary's impractical perspective by Gail Tverberg
The suggestion was made to Oil Drum staff that some of us might want to write recommendations relating to President Obama's energy policy. It seems to me that several steps come before energy policy: we need to get the worst of our financial problems behind us and we need to understand where we are, before we can make intelligent decisions going forward. Also, the issues are really broader than energy policy--they include agriculture, education, commerce, and a broad range of other areas affected by reduced energy supplies. Read more...
Did the Amish get it right after all? by Gene Logsdon
There is an interesting development in mainstream U.S.A that just might have significant relevance for garden farming. Record numbers of people are acquiring pets. The dog and cat business is not at all depressed by the recession. (If you are wondering what all this has to do with the Amish, bear with me.) You see evidence of the trend everywhere, especially in advertisements where dogs are shown licking the cheeks of children— this in a society that has an almost manic dread of germs. Pets are the in-thing. Apparently our society is so enmeshed in its mechanical and electronic gadgetry that the human psyche is seeking solace in real life, as in the ancient loving connection that we have always enjoyed with animals. Read more...
Sail Transport Network: Interview with Puget Sound sailor David Reid by Jan Lundberg
I met David Reid in Seattle in October 2007 when he invited me to speak at the Seattle Peak Oil Awareness monthly meeting. By the time I was giving my talk, taking on questions such as whether there's validity to the techno-fix, Dave's main interest had already zeroed in: "Excuse me everyone, but we've discussed these peak oil questions enough in our meetings. Let's hear about the Sail Transport Network. Read more...
Back to top With social changes coming faster than ever, we need a more robust organization so we can continue to support the community that's grown up around peak oil and sustainability. Read more...
Some favorites from January
Many of the articles during the last month on Energy Bulletin had an upbeat tone, in spite of the bad news about the economy.
Advice to President Obama: an actuary's impractical perspective by Gail TverbergThe suggestion was made to Oil Drum staff that some of us might want to write recommendations relating to President Obama's energy policy. It seems to me that several steps come before energy policy: we need to get the worst of our financial problems behind us and we need to understand where we are, before we can make intelligent decisions going forward. Also, the issues are really broader than energy policy--they include agriculture, education, commerce, and a broad range of other areas affected by reduced energy supplies. Read more...
Did the Amish get it right after all? by Gene LogsdonThere is an interesting development in mainstream U.S.A that just might have significant relevance for garden farming. Record numbers of people are acquiring pets. The dog and cat business is not at all depressed by the recession. (If you are wondering what all this has to do with the Amish, bear with me.) You see evidence of the trend everywhere, especially in advertisements where dogs are shown licking the cheeks of children— this in a society that has an almost manic dread of germs. Pets are the in-thing. Apparently our society is so enmeshed in its mechanical and electronic gadgetry that the human psyche is seeking solace in real life, as in the ancient loving connection that we have always enjoyed with animals. Read more...
Sail Transport Network: Interview with Puget Sound sailor David Reid by Jan LundbergI met David Reid in Seattle in October 2007 when he invited me to speak at the Seattle Peak Oil Awareness monthly meeting. By the time I was giving my talk, taking on questions such as whether there's validity to the techno-fix, Dave's main interest had already zeroed in: "Excuse me everyone, but we've discussed these peak oil questions enough in our meetings. Let's hear about the Sail Transport Network. Read more...
5. Global Public Media
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• Talking with Richard Heinberg about the Green New Deal • Natural Gas Cliff and Credit Situation • Reality Report: Bill McKibben We also feature a video of Reality Report host Dr. Jason Bradford's presentation, Scenario 2020: The Future of Food in Mendocino County. |
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Latest material from Peak Moment Television includes two more installations from ASPO-USA 2008: • Energy Investment, Energy Return (#136, with Jim Hansen and Charlie Hall) • Peak Oil - Politics, Geopolitics, and Choke Points (#137, with Morey Wolfson, Jeff Vail, Tom Whipple and Terry Backer) This month also featured an interview with John Michael Greer, author of The Long Descent. The Twilight of an Age (#138) |
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Deconstructing Dinner continues its series, the Local Grain Revolution, reporting on Canada's first Grain CSA. This month, we have three posts from the Kootenay Harvest Revival: Part I, Part II, Part III |
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The Conservation Imperative: Energy Limits to Growth and the Path to Sustainability This issue of MuseLetter is Part I of a brief series of articles about energy alternatives, net energy, and the best options for an energy transition. Later this spring the articles will be published as a booklet by Post Carbon Institute and the International Forum on Globalization. |
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Homebrewing for the Planet Crop To Cuisine explores the world of brewing beer at home, speaking with Richard Berkey and Brian Carter, owners of Hop To It Homebrew supply shows. They explain the joys of brewing, and the benefits, ranging from economic to entertainment. The Politics of Food A day before President Elect Obama is sworn in, Crop To Cuisine explores the politics of our food. We speak with Professor and Author of Food Politics Marion Nestle about the incoming administration, and Bart Miller, Water Program Director at Western Resource Advocates. |
6. Events
Post Carbon Institute Speakers Schedule
2009 Sustainable Biodiesel Summit: Localize It! Celebrating Community Scale Biodiesel
January 31st & February 1st 2009, Moscone Center, San Francisco, California
Post Carbon Institute Senior Fellow Richard Heinberg will keynote the event on January 31.
The 6th Annual Sustainable Biodiesel Summit is the place to be to learn why sustainability is important to the industry, share technical experience and exchange best practices tailored specifically to sustainable biodiesel production and distribution. Conveniently preceding the National Biodiesel Board's annual conference and located in the same convention center.
Energy and the Future of Cities: Sustaining Robust Cities in an Changing Energy Future
May 7-8, 2009, Calgary AB, Canada
A Conference for Thoughtful Leaders in Industry, Business, Policy, Governance, Education and Community
Post Carbon Cities Program Director Daniel Lerch will be a featured speaker.
Led by speakers who study energy in the context of urban systems, and thought leaders who can frame energy concerns in terms of opportunities and challenges, this conference is planned as a region-wide conversation about the future. It's a conversation that every city needs to have, and it's relevant to a wide range of constituent interests. It's an especially relevant conversation for Calgary because the city is a global centre of energy expertise.
Featured Events
The 2009 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National Conference
February 4–6, Washington, DC
Just weeks after a new Congress and new administration take office this conference will set the stage for stakeholders from across the country to forge an agenda for realizing the enormous opportunities we can achieve by investing in green jobs.
Peak Oil Investment Summit 2009: Oil, the Economy and Investing
March 17, New York
The Peak Oil Investor Summit is an intensive one-day summit put together by and for the financial community to find out what peak oil is, and how to both protect your capital and identify profit strategies.
Back to top2009 Sustainable Biodiesel Summit: Localize It! Celebrating Community Scale BiodieselJanuary 31st & February 1st 2009, Moscone Center, San Francisco, California
Post Carbon Institute Senior Fellow Richard Heinberg will keynote the event on January 31.
The 6th Annual Sustainable Biodiesel Summit is the place to be to learn why sustainability is important to the industry, share technical experience and exchange best practices tailored specifically to sustainable biodiesel production and distribution. Conveniently preceding the National Biodiesel Board's annual conference and located in the same convention center.
Energy and the Future of Cities: Sustaining Robust Cities in an Changing Energy FutureMay 7-8, 2009, Calgary AB, Canada
A Conference for Thoughtful Leaders in Industry, Business, Policy, Governance, Education and Community
Post Carbon Cities Program Director Daniel Lerch will be a featured speaker.
Led by speakers who study energy in the context of urban systems, and thought leaders who can frame energy concerns in terms of opportunities and challenges, this conference is planned as a region-wide conversation about the future. It's a conversation that every city needs to have, and it's relevant to a wide range of constituent interests. It's an especially relevant conversation for Calgary because the city is a global centre of energy expertise.
Featured Events
The 2009 Good Jobs, Green Jobs National ConferenceFebruary 4–6, Washington, DC
Just weeks after a new Congress and new administration take office this conference will set the stage for stakeholders from across the country to forge an agenda for realizing the enormous opportunities we can achieve by investing in green jobs.
Peak Oil Investment Summit 2009: Oil, the Economy and InvestingMarch 17, New York
The Peak Oil Investor Summit is an intensive one-day summit put together by and for the financial community to find out what peak oil is, and how to both protect your capital and identify profit strategies.
| • | Please tell a friend about the Post Carbon Institute |
| • | Encourage your friends, family members, co-workers, planners, policy makers, and politicians to subscribe |
| • | If you are not yet familiar with the Transition movement, learn more here. |
| • | Donate to Post Carbon Institute |
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