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A group fronted by Virgin CEO Richard Branson released a report this week warning that peak oil is not only real, but closer on the horizon than many might think. The Industry Taskforce for Peak Oil and Energy Security warns that demand for oil could outstrip supply as soon as 2015, a turn of events that would send ripples through nearly every economy and industry in the world. via Branson Report Warns of Peak Oil as Early as 2015 | Hybrid Cars.
Have you ever had that niggling feeling that something is wrong with the economy? Transition Greater New Haven certainly has, and they want to explore how we could do things in a more people and nature-friendly way. TGNH would like to support a process of creating a more sustainable, equitable and resilient economy in the Greater New Haven area. Last week’s World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi was a coming-together of state and industry leaders with plenty of unfinished business from December’s Copenhagen climate talks The emirate of Abu Dhabi — one of the world’s leading oil and gas producers — has its focus on the future. A post-oil future. Abu Dhabi has started to put into practice a bold commitment to renewable and sustainable technologies that will enable it to continue as an energy leader after oil has declined. But when it comes to low-carbon living right now, there’s a long way to go in this part of the world. via World Future Energy Summit takes up where Copenhagen left off – Renewable Energy World. When Bruce Alexander ’65, vice president for New Haven and state affairs and campus development, received a community leadership award at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale in October, he challenged state officials to improve Connecticut transportation, especially train service from New Haven to New York City and expansion of Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport. In return, Gov. M. Jodi Rell last month appointed Alexander chair of the Connecticut Transportation Strategy Board, which manages transportation initiatives for the state. After 25 years as a senior executive of the real estate development corporation the Rouse Company, Alexander came to Yale in May 1998. He recently sat down with the News to discuss his new role and challenges facing the Transportation Strategy Board. via Alexander talks transportation: Q&A with Yale Daily News. <h5>We like bringing you useful stories related to environmental issues in the state. Please make a donation to support our work. Thank you. </h5> In the time bank world, everyone’s hour of service is equal: Members can trade crochet lessons for roof repair or a ride to the airport for a massage. SHARE Haven turned one year old this month, and membership has risen to more than 100 people. via SHARE Haven turns 1 | New Haven Advocate. Home rule is a precious principle for many Connecticut towns but it’s not always the most cost-effective or efficient answer to shared problems. That’s why we like a decision by Bristol and Plainville to pursue a grant that would allow Plainville to start implementing single-stream recycling in town while Bristol expands its pilot single-stream recycling program. via In Our View: Towns benefit when they work together – The New Britain Herald. The Transition Road Show will be performed by members of Transition Greater New Haven Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at Southern Connecticut State University’s Adanti Student Center, Room 306, at the corner of Crescent and Fitch Streets. There will be entertainment, reflection, inspiration and dynamic participation all in one show! We’ll cover the problems (peak oil, climate change, economic meltdown) and look to the solutions (using our collective genius to create sustainable community on a human scale). The Transition Movement is about connecting the dots and getting us from here to there (http://transitionus .org/).
Last Saturday, Transition Greater New Haven co-sponsored our “Second Open Space Community Think Tank: FOOD” with the New Haven Bioregional Group. The day consisted of three sessions of concurrent workshops and an incredible potluck lunch. A full proceedings report is available on our website. New Haven and Hartford can become the strong, attractive urban center Connecticut needs. The downtowns are about 35 miles apart. If both cities were within 30 minutes of one another by affordable rail service, Hartford could attract young professionals to its financial district with New Haven as an attractive place to live. The rail line can create a “linear city,” a complete urban community of 270,000 in Connecticut, making it by far the largest urban environment between Boston and New York. It would be the greatest “green” initiative the state could achieve, trumping any solar, wind, hydro or geothermal project that might be on the drawing board. That’s what commuter rail service, scheduled to open in 2015, makes possible. Nicholas Caruso is studying for a master’s degree at the Yale School of Architecture. via Rail Link Would Create One Great City — Courant.com.
We are in a time of Transition. “When the food trucks stop rollin’, what’s gonna keep us goin’?” “How can we work together to create new jobs, beautify our neighborhoods, establish food security and build community by coming together around FOOD?”
State Senator Toni Boucher (R-26), Senate ranking member of the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee, questioned the usefulness of a recently completed survey being promoted by a fellow legislator as proof of local support for building a Super 7 highway. via Senator Boucher questions results of pro-Super 7 survey | Ridgefield Press.
via Off the Shelf – ‘$20 Per Gallon’ – Visions of an Energy-Starved World – Review – NYTimes.com. Scentsy’s goal is to inspire 100,000 people to pledge to spend an extra $50 at locally owned small businesses on Columbus Day, Oct. 12, 2009. That’s a $5 million economic infusion that can create a ripple effect in communities across the nation. Take the Contribution 2009 pledge and offer big help to small businesses in your community. Or learn more about Contribute 2009. Continue reading Contribute 2009 : Big Help for Small Business Are We Dooming Ourselves With Green Innovation?: “For some, not enough of this skepticism about innovation is being applied to our green tech and clean tech revolutions. Right now, creating cheap energy out of wind, for instance, seems like a fine idea. But is it? Are we really prepared as a society to deal with the consequences of electricity manufactured without having to use up fossil fuels?” Op-Ed Contributor – ‘Peak Oil’ Is a Waste of Energy – NYTimes.com: Michael Lynch, an energy consultant, and the former director for Asian energy and security at the Center for International Studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, argues that “we can’t let the false threat of disappearing oil lead the government to throw money away on harebrained renewable energy schemes or impose unnecessary and expensive conservation measures on a public already struggling through tough economic times.” Don’t forget to read the comments! Sierra Club Hosts a “Post-Carbon Economy” Discussion Aug. 5 in Orange | CT Environmental Headlines: What would a “post-carbon economy” be like? This intriguing climate protection issue will be discussed at the South Central (CT) Sierra Club’s get-together on Wednesday, Aug. 5, from 6 – 8:30 p.m., at the Smart Living Center, 297 Boston Post Road, Orange. Local, regional, national and international initiatives are underway to reduce the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere from current levels of near 390 parts per million back down to a more sustainably appropriate 350 part per million. One such initiative which the City of Milford joined a few years ago is the U.S. Mayors Climate Protection Program. “Across the country, voluntary coalitions of municipal officials, businesses and residents alike are making measurable progress towards reducing fossil-fuel-based energy consumption,” says Sierra Club staff member Patrice Gilliespie. “We are learning together about what strides individuals can take, and how community-wide efforts can affect national security, and create more choices in energy resources and new ‘green jobs.’ We invite the public and our municipal officials in the region to come to our informal program at the Smart Living Center, and share ideas.” Refreshments will be served. Anyone interested in attending should contact Diane Lentakis, chairperson of the South Central group, at deerspirit@sbcglobal.net or (203) 783-0686 by Aug. 3. Web of Local Self-Reliance Rewoven | New Haven Independent: “Community gardens galore, a human-scaled transportation system, honor for elders and creative exploration for kids — these are some of the goals members of New Haven’s now-official Transition group “webbed” together at a kick-off celebration on Saturday evening (pictured) as they develop a local post-peak-oil future. Fred Cervin, a founder of the New Haven Bioregional Group, and a member of Transition Greater New Haven, concluded, “This is not survivalism — far from it.” Click here for his comments.” Event: SHARE Haven Time Bank is bringing an information and joining session Wednesday, July 15 | CT Environmental Headlines: SHARE Haven Time Bank is bringing an information and joining session Wednesday, July 15 at 7pm at First Presbyterian Church, 704 Whitney Ave., New Haven. If you or someone you know has been thinking about joining SHARE Haven time bank, this is our next info session. There are hundreds of time banks around the world. SHARE Haven is the first time bank in CT. Time banking builds community. SHARE Haven presently has over 65 members from the New Haven area. Park behind the church and meet us in the Miller Gathering Hall. Learn about time banking and join in a matter of minutes. If you have questions before the info session, call Marie or Brenda at 393-1245 or email at shtimebank@gmail.com. For more info on the time bank visit http://www.sharehaven.org The Transition Road Show World Premier — 7-9 p.m. July 11, 2009 — UU Society, 608 Whitney Ave, New Haven | CT Environmental Headlines: What is all this talk about “Transition” about anyway?? Witness the birth of the “Transition Greater New Haven” initiative, and find out what all the fuss is about. There will be a potluck beginning at 6 p.m. and entertainment, reflection, inspiration and dynamic participation all in one show from 7 to 9. We’ll cover the problems (peak oil, climate change, economic meltdown) and look to the solutions (using our collective genius to create sustainable community on a human scale). The Transition Movement is about connecting the dots and getting us from here to there (http://transitionus.org). Put this on your calendar and join us next Saturday to learn more and participate in an important and stimulating evening. |
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The 2nd Open Space Community Think Tank — FOOD. Hard Times: Community Self-Reliance, was hosted by 
The 2nd Open Space Community Think Tank — FOOD. Hard Times: Community Self-Reliance, at Common Ground High School, 358 Springside Ave., New Haven, takes place 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 14.
Almost the entire country west of the Mississippi River and parts of the East coast (a total of 31 states) can serve all their electricity needs with in-state renewable power. Every state could reach its current renewable energy mandate with homegrown renewable resources. This 
We could all end up forsaking our fossil-fuel vehicles in the near future, he says, because of what Christopher Steiner, the author of “$20 Per Gallon: How the Inevitable Rise in the Price of Gasoline Will Change Our Lives for the Better,” calls the dwindling supply and burgeoning demand for gasoline.
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