A man walking along a road in the countryside comes across a shepherd and a huge flock of sheep. He tells the shepherd, "I will bet you $100 against one of your sheep that I can tell you the exact number in this flock." The shepherd thinks it over; it's a big flock so he takes the bet. "973," says the man.

The shepherd is astonished, because that is exactly right. Says "OK, I'm a man of my word, take an animal." Man picks one up and begins to walk away.

"Wait," cries the shepherd, "Let me have a chance to get even. Double or nothing that I can guess your
exact occupation."

The man says sure.

"You are an economist for a government think tank," says the shepherd.

"Amazing!" responds the man, "You are exactly right! But tell me, how did you deduce that?"

"Well," says the shepherd, "put down my dog and I will tell you."

Alice Friedemann in Oakland CA

In May 2006, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a peak oil resolution to prepare for a worldwide decline in oil production and skyrocketing prices. On July 28, the LAFCo Committee (Supervisors Mirkarimi, Amiano, McGoldrick) responded to the resolution with a citywide hearing to further examine the potential catastrophe that peak oil could cause to the city of San Francisco and the region. Both peak oil and global warming threaten to have significant impacts on bay area economies.

American cities that have already passed peak oil resolutions are Portland, Oregon, Bloomington, Indiana and Franklin, New York. The city of Santa Cruz is the perfect candidate to be the next local community to pass such a resolution. Many potential resolution suggestions are consistent with work that has already begun in Santa Cruz. Local non-profits like People Power and Ecology Action are doing important work to make it easier for Santa Cruz citizens to get around on bikes, and help them make important transportation decisions in an informed manner.

The city of Santa Cruz has already joined the US Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement and ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability), and has been taking important steps to reduce C02 emissions since as early as 1989. Some examples include:

• Constructed a cogeneration system at the City Wastewater Treatment Facility in 1991 that generates heat and electricity from digester gas,
• Installed solar photovoltaic systems on three City facilities,
• Replaced over 1600 lamps in traffic signals with light emitting diode (LED) lamps, and;
• Implemented water conservation programs with City water customers.

Local Solutions to Global Problems (LSGP)—temporary name—is a group of private individuals from a variety of backgrounds who have come together to address the dual global issues of global climate change and energy vulnerability, from a local angle. LSGP members feel there is a groundswell of interest in the community to find solutions to these problems, and continue the research, education and recommendations already started in the local government, businesses and private sector. LSGP members hope to increase the mobilization of local officials and citizens to respond and adapt to these challenges through education and offering more informed choices that impact these crises to the community.

San Francisco becomes first U.S. city to pass peak oil resolution
SF Informatics and San Francisco Oil Awareness via PR Web

Campaign by Local Activists Persuaded Board of Supervisors of Looming Energy Crunch; Landmark Initiative Urges Development of ‘Action and Response Plan’

San Francisco on Tuesday became the first major U.S. city to pass a resolution acknowledging the threats posed by peak oil, urging the city to develop a comprehensive plan to respond to the emerging global energy crunch.

The resolution (www.sfgov.org/site/uploadedfiles/bdsupvrs/bosagendas/materials/060442.pd...), which won unanimous support by the board was sponsored by supervisors Aaron Peskin, Jake McGoldrick and Sophie Maxwell. It cites an influential study commissioned by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, known as the Hirsch Report (www.mnforsustain.org/oil_peaking_of_world_oil_production_study_hirsch.ht...), which raised concerns about the nation’s ability to avert a major crisis from the peak and decline of oil production.