Thu 13 Aug 2009
Pathways towards energy interdependence
Posted by Greg under Uncategorized
Pathways towards energy Interdependence.
Published in Summer 09 Green Living Journal
Bioregionalism is the idea that our cultural and political adaptations should fall consciously within the natural boundaries of our home on earth. Much of the emphasis of bioregionalism has taken the form of community organizing to bring local food to your table and re-ignite indigenous wisdom that remind of us of our deep sense of place and peace on earth.
Now, as we stare down the barrel of another big economic bubble taking form as “the green energy economy” bioregionalism offers us a glimpse of of social, technological and economic development that does not lead to a burst bubble ten years down the road.
Bioregional energy designs call for localized, energy that comes from multiple sources. This kind of diversity leads to long term resilience. An example of this would be a county or state that had invested in wind, hydro, biomass, and solar energy sources to power the cities and industries of the region.
However, energy technologies are only half the story. The other half lies in grassroots, democratic control over the energy sources. Organizations like Coop power in the North East USA are leading the way in organizational designs that empower citizens of a bioregion with decision making power over their electrical utilities from production to usage.
This is kind of participation relies on informed citizens with a deep interests in their homes. Participatory, bioregional energy systems can keep our communities strong and our environment vibrant for generations.
The discussion continues:
Citizen groups, energy consultants and activists will be gathering here, in the Cumberland Green bioregion for the Tenth Continental Biroegional Congress to create a ceremonial village to discuss collaborative next steps for bioregional energy, food, water culture and beyond from October 3-11th on The Farm in Summertown Tennessee, placing Lewis County at the Forefront of the conversation that is leading North America and the world towards a greener, healthier tomorrow.
The Bioregional congress is a living example of a participatory, democratic village.
The congress, made up of volunteer delegates from the four corners of the North American Continent, meets in plenary sessions and forms working groups to cover issues brought up by the delegates and their bioregional constituents (including honorary representatives from the plant and animal kingdoms who lack a voice in our current political system).
During before and after these plenary and break out sessions there is open space for workshops coving a wide range of ecological wisdoms, techniques and ideas to help cross pollinate best practices between bioregions.
The intention of the Bioregional Congress is to create a forum where all voices can be heard, and model the kind of resilient, participatory society we would like to create. This Congress will model sustainability by using local food, sustainable energy and off setting its carbon footprint, and that of its delegates by planting trees are participating in a carbon offset plan designed during the 1st ever Carbon Farming Course set to take place from August 25th- September 16th.
The human energy being gathered and unleashed can be seen as a beautiful metaphor for the next steps needed to turn the new green bubble into something substantial: the shift from a culture of passive acceptance to a culture of participation.
If you are interested in participating in the discussion and ceremonial village during the Bioregional Congress please email [email protected] or visit bioregional-congress for more options.
I think what your doing is great.I wish I had the money to do what you are doing.I,ve wanted my own power source for a long time.Keep up the good work,and peace be with you.
I noticed one strong theme for me during the 10th Bioregional Congress that I would like to leave people thinking about.
In Pittsburgh, Pa. over the past seven years urban farming has operated as an informal system, slowly allowing people and organizations to seek their own path in joining with one another. This is also true for supporting organizations, businesses, churches, civic groups, political organizations, etc. There is only now the beginnings of overt networking do we see public acknowledgement of groups joining together.
I have labeled this “the Silent Social Enterprise”. Agreements are being made without any contracts. Nothing is in writing. One day there is a farmers market in Whole Foods parking lot twice a month. Anyone growing local food is welcome to bring their wares to market and they will be given a table and helped with pricing. They keep the money. This allows the ever changing market to keep pace with the community no matter how small the offerings. This opens doors for young people to interface with the public and have conversations about growing food and selling it in a public market. Good public relations for Whole Foods. No real impact on their bottom line.
Another example is the city government slowly allowing people to come onto vacant lots vs. taking 7 years to acquire one lot. Now the city provides compost if asked, clears a lot and suggests someone might want to farm it, at no fee and with no legal agreement. This is the similar to a sand painting done by the buddhist monks. The farms are here today and can disappear tomorrow if they no long serve the city.
I use to fight this and I knew the pain experienced at the hands of industry in LA. But everyone is beginning to remain silent on this issue knowing that time is becoming an issue and the cities have half the population of the country to consider. We are in the throws of an organic process to bring the people outdoors and to touch the soil in order to green the cities. Our very lives depend upon this process.
With regard to the Congress, there was an overt effort to remove the ideas of yesterday and to build a clean slate for this moment in time by those who choose to be there. It appeared to be a battle between young old but in reality it was a struggle to stay current and to build quickly upon the ideas and experienced of those in communities very diverse.
The one strong agreement was to build upon designs that kept us together in ritual, that kept us remembering our family connections to the past through music, dance and art.
“All solutions can be found in art.” The artists will lead the way into the community and back out to the rural areas. . .back to nature.