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Centre for Alternative Technology's ‘Zero Carbon Britain' Report
Rob Hopkins, Transition Culture
I didn't get to many talks at the Big Green Gathering, but I did get to one excellent, and very important one, given by Paul Allen and Richard Hawkins of the Centre for Alternative Technology. The talk was to introduce the wonderful piece of work they have just completed, a report called Zero Carbon Britain [PDF]. I think it is the most important piece of work CAT had ever produced, and is very important for Transition Initiatives too. In essence it is the first draft of an Energy Descent Plan for the UK, although its focus is largely on energy. The two of them presented the report, how it came about, and what its aims are, in a very accessible way. Here, reconstructed from my notes, is the general gist of their presentation.

Paul Allen: ‘Zero Carbon Britain' is intended to be a framework to evaluate all of the ideas that are out there for how we might achieve a zero carbon economy within 20 years, the timeframe the scientists are telling us we need to do it in. We need a structure than can get the various strands to talk to each other, the biofuels people and the land use people for instance, and then present a vision to all sector of society. We want to create agreement on the science, on what a ‘carbon descent curve' might look like.

There are no silver bullets, we need to be looking at utilising technologies that already exist, rather than waiting for new ones. The aim of this report is zero carbon in two decades. In 1977, CAT produced an Alternative Energy Strategy for the UK, this is a revision of that. Is there a probability that we can get back to a cooler climate, or at what point does that become impossible? There are climate thresholds that once passed, unleash feedback loops that mean that from then onwards we are only moving in one direction.
(10 August 2007)

The Lifeboat Radio Show
Global Public Media
The entire catalog of "The Lifeboat Show" from Astoria, Oregon's Titanic Lifeboat Academy is now available on Global Public Media! Included are talks with Richard Heinberg, Dr. William Rees, Matt Savinar and many others. Click here to listen to any of the 30 minute programs, hosted by Christopher Paddon and Caren Black, on the topics of climate change and oil depletion.

The Lifeboat Show is a monthly radio program that airs on the third Monday of every month at 9:30 AM on on KMUN 91.9 FM in Astoria and KTCB 89.5 FM Community Radio in Tillamook. Also simulcast live on coastradio.org. Featuring interviews, book reviews and banter about sustainable living, Caren Black and Christopher Paddon, of TLA, discuss life after Peak Oil with a little humor thrown in. You can purchase CDs of the programs at the Lifeboat Show website.
(9 August 2007)

"The Power of Community" article now available in Spanish
Megan Quinn, Global Public Media
Megan Quinn's popular article The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil is now available in Spanish, thanks to Global Public Media volunteer translator Melisa Chavez Moreno. Click here to read it. Help ensure the widest possible audience for Global Public Media's important content - volunteer to transcribe or translate today.
(11 August 2007)

Peak Moment: Human Scale Tools for a Sustainable World (video)
Peak Moment via Global Public Media
At Smith and Speed Mercantile on Orcas Island, hand tools line the walls and tables along with organic wool comforters and non-toxic paints. It's an extension of Errol Speed and Kathleen Smith's off-grid homestead where they work at "the speed of living," using hand tools that reconnect them to the earth. Episode 67.

Janaia Donaldson hosts Peak Moment, a television series emphasizing positive responses to energy decline and climate change through local community action. How can we thrive, build stronger communities, and help one another in the transition from a fossil fuel-based lifestyle?
(8 August 2007)

Peak Moment: Boulder County Going Local! (video)
Peak Moment via Global Public Media
Michael Brownlee didn't stop after creating the Boulder Valley Relocalization group. He's catalyzing Boulder County's Going Local! campaign, encouraging residents to buy local first, eat and grow local food, create local energy and local currency. The community will celebrate at a "Renaissance of Local" festival, conference and expo with a feast prepared by the local Slow Food group. Episode 66.

Janaia Donaldson hosts Peak Moment, a television series emphasizing positive responses to energy decline and climate change through local community action. How can we thrive, build stronger communities, and help one another in the transition from a fossil fuel-based lifestyle?
(8 August 2007)

City Launches GreeNYC Educational Campaign
Glenn, The Oil Drum: New York City
As part of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC 2030 initiative, the City is conducting a large scale public awareness campaign for people to take ten simple steps to help the city become more environmentally friendly. Here is a short TV ad that has been playing in NYC:

Here is the GreeNYC top ten list to become more environmentally friendly.

1. Switch to ENERGY STAR® qualified Compact Fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs).
2. Buy ENERGY STAR® appliances.
3. Don't air condition an empty room.
4. Unplug chargers and appliances when not in use.
5. Switch to a green energy provider.
6. Walk or take public transportation.
7. Recycle your glass, metal, paper and plastic.
8. Bring your own cloth bag to the grocery store.
9. Use green cleaning products.
10.Switch to paperless bank statements and online bill paying.

Which of these are most important? How much of this really matters? What would be on your environmental friendly top ten list?
(11 August 2007)