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Planning the Future
Dave Ewoldt, Natural Systems Solutions
There's been a recent back and forth between the blogs of John Michael Greer, "The Archdruid Report" and Rob Hopkins, "Transition Culture".

One of Greer's critiques of the Transition initiative, based more on a single conference presentation by overly enthusiastic proponents rather than a thorough understanding of the Transition Towns movement, is that deliberate planning for a better future is both "impossible and counterproductive."

This critique of Hopkins' (and company) Transition Initiative might be more about semantics than anything else. Postcarbon cities and transition towns aren't planning the future. As Greer rightly points out, doing so in the literal sense is impossible, although the attempt is not necessarily counterproductive.

We are, however, participants in the future and our actions have consequences. We can examine these consequences and make choices.

For the moment, let's not argue about the percentage of time Western culture actually spends doing this. Or the percentage of time an elite subclass spends doing pretty much exactly that to the detriment of all other.

My professional field is ecopsychology, which examines the psychological roots of the environmental crisis. As a systems thinker, this extends to examining and finding systemic solutions to the global crises I call the Triumvirate of collapse--Peak Oil, catastrophic climate destabilization, and corporatism.
(6 December 2008)

Copenhagen, Melbourne & The Reconquest of the City
Chris Turner, Worldchanging
For ten weeks this summer, a twelve-block stretch of Ste. Catherine Street in Montreal was transformed into a vibrant public square. It covered most of the main drag of the Ville-Marie neighbourhood – better known as Montreal’s gay village – in the city’s east end. The ersatz square hosted festivals and parades and accommodated the post-event revelries of jazz and comedy aficionados. Outdoor cafes spilled out onto the street’s cracked concrete, and buskers and sculptures filled the curbside parking spaces. And the catalyst for all of it was a single, simple act: from the start of Montreal’s festival season in June until Labour Day weekend, Ste. Catherine Street was closed entirely to motor vehicle traffic from Berri Street to Papineau Avenue.
(10 December 2008)

Cultivating a new food culture
Chelsea DeWitt, Gristmill
There's a social movement cropping up in fields and markets across the country -- America's next generation of farmers are stepping up to the pitchfork. Young, excited and energized, they're facing many challenges, but also reaping many rewards.

To celebrate this burgeoning interest in farming, Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture in Tarrytown, New York held their first Young Farmers Conference on Dec. 4 and 5. Bringing together 150 seasoned and new farmers, activists and leaders in the sustainable agriculture movement, the conference focused on a critical component for the future of farming -- the next generation.
(11 December 2008)