Barking up the Wrong Tree: a brilliant piece about the economy

One of the most brilliant, well-written pieces I have read about the economy is "The Wrong Tree" (as in "Barking up the ..."). Written by Jerry Mander of the International Forum on Globalization, it is part of the introduction to the the latest publication of peak oil sage Richard Heinberg.

First, about Heinberg: Richard Heinberg 's Searching for a Miracle: 'Net Energy' Limits and the Fate of Industrialized Society is a serious analysis of just about every form of alternative energy and its potential (read: lack of potential) to fulfill our energy demands as we devour the declining second half of our planetary oil supply.

If you are a stranger to the weaknesses inherent in alternative energy, I highly recommend Heinberg's rather technical publication. I also recommend this short article. Heinberg's section "Transition Plans" (page 61 of the document, page 68 of the pdf) is good, albeit short. It does mention the Transition movement in a brief nod, which is notable given Heinberg's previously expressed opinions. But I do trust that Heinberg is coming around. You can download Heinberg's publication as a free pdf via the link at the base of the posting here (pdf 2.6MB).

But back to Jerry Mander: "The Wrong Tree" (page 2 of the Heinberg document, page 9 of the pdf) explains why the economy is not recovering, and why it won't recover. In the incredibly brief space of one page, Mander hits such issues as: operating on the wrong assumptions, resource limitations, the scale of denial, and the need for fundamental systemic change. It might leave you breathless.

Certainly there are full-length works on this topic, but I have not found such a well-worded, comprehensive, conclusive, irrefutable, brief explanation. In our Training for Transition we were introduced to the decline of the Industrial Growth Complex, but the explanation was leaden and at times vague. Mander is clear and searing.

If anyone questions you about the economy, point them to Mander's piece. And then be prepared to collect the reader's staggering form. Perhaps Rob Hopkins' "Coping with Your 'End of Suburbia Moment' " (page 83 of the Transition Handbook) should be included in fine print after Mander's piece.

Thanksgiving in Transition

Each year Americans set aside a date in November to “give thanks” for all that we have. Yet as we learn more about the reality our future, we realize that what we are living now is “peak moment.” It is likely humanity will never see such opulence and excess again.

As we plan our Thanksgiving holiday 2009, we can intentionally design our celebration as a time to raise awareness, to look forward, and to connect with the deeper meanings of life.

1. Give thanks for what we have had. What did you experience today that will become less possible as we experience energy descent? (hot shower, imported food, etc.)
2. What’s really important? Look deeply into the faces of family and friends around your table. Make this a special time to connect with people and with the life force of the world.
3. Look forward. Admittedly, life in 2009 is far from perfect. And the Transition movement posits that life after oil could possibly be even better than what we have now. What do you look forward to in the post-oil era? (slower life pace, etc.)
4. Transition to local. Take a real and concrete step into the future by adding delicious, fresh, local food to your holiday table. Shop farmers’ market for local produce. Check out garden-to-table recipe books at http://legacyla.net/edibleLandscape.htm#use Celebrate a taste of the future.
5. Give to the future. Donate some of your time, resources, or money to a resilience-building project or initiative in your local neighborhood. (one of our community gardens, a tree-planting project, Transition Los Angeles, etc.)

Head, Heart, and Hands

Anyone who wishes to understand Transition must also grasp its three essential pillars: Head, Heart, and Hands. Head refers to educating ourselves regarding the realities of Peak Oil, climate change, species extinction, and myriad other challenges of the twenty-first century. Heart refers to the “Heart and Soul” aspect of Transition which relates to finding meaning and purpose amid the swirl of emotions we are certain to experience as we deepen our understanding of the challenges and their implications. Last, for a very good reason, is the Hands pillar which refers to learning new skills that will be necessary in order to survive in a post-industrial world and taking action in our communities to implement the Transition model. Without the pillars of Head and Heart, action will not be sufficiently informed and may be ineffective.

Carolyn Baker has written the above, and a few other little gems about the Transition movement, in her article at the new "Transition Times, Colorado Edition."

Open Meetings at Transition South Bay

Transition-minded people in the South Bay (Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo, Torrance, etc) are now gathering for an Open Meeting each Monday evening.

If you are in the South Bay, drop in and join them as they plan their initial events and activities. Meeting info is on their new website.

Trading without Cash: a LETS system

Goods and services can be exchanged without the need for cash!

Many Transition projects focus on "local currencies," possibly because the Totnes Pound has gained such attention. But many communities worldwide have been using another type of alternative finances: the LETS system.

A Local Economic Trading System (LETS) allows participants to get the things they need without cash. It's kind of like trading favors. Everyone has skills to offer. The idea is to figure out what you might be able to offer to the community, and gain what you need in exchange. It doesn't cost any cash to join.

Here's a great homemade video about how LETS works.

In the Westchester, del Rey, Inglewood, Culver City areas of Los Angeles, they're starting up a LETS system. They're collecting interest now, with a scheduled launch in spring 2010.

Resources
about LETS systems
about other ways local communities can share finances

Los Angeles area alternative finances:
Echo Park Time Bank
Arroyo Time Bank
Ballona LETS system