Plains Rd United Church, Plains Rd Burlington, 7:30pm
Local engagement is the best antidote to despair and indignation at the inertia of our governments towards the twin crises of peaking energy supply and climate change. It is now well reported in the informed press, the academic press and the ecological literature that climate crisis is upon us and we are not prepared. This film tries to imagine the Escape from the Suburban mindset that traps us in complacency and inertia. It is a thoughtful film, not a shocker, it is intended to help us get started on the path to a sustainable future. Our children will be thankful some day if they know that we did sound the alarm and take action.

Discussion questions

What is your lingering reaction to the film? Bafflement, anger? Curious, resolved? Other?

What do you do in your household in relation to energy conservation or carbon emissions (greenhouse gas) reduction?

What could you do, now that you've seen this film?

What is would you like to tell our local elected officials?

Are we approaching Peak Oil now?

A growing consensus of energy analysts, petroleum geologists and business leaders see the present tightness in world oil markets, combined with the dramatic rise in demand for non-conventional oils (such as those found in the Canadian tar sands) and alternative fuels (bio-fuels such as cellulosic ethanol) as signs that world demand for oil is beginning to hit the production “ceiling”, or the “peak”. In addition, further signs of world peak include the world’s second and third largest conventional oil fields themselves peaking within the past three months (Burgan in Kuwait and Cantarell in Mexico). For further information:

'Peak oil' enters mainstream debate see http://www.energybulletin.net/36194.html
Peak Oil is Now Official
What markets are telling us about future energy prices

What are the controversies surrounding our future energy options?

How best do we transition our society away from dependence on petroleum? This is the trillion dollar question for the 21st century … Do we move to a mix of alternative fuels for transportation, nuclear power for electricity, genetically modified crops for agriculture? Do we reject big energy and agribusiness in favour of more local, renewable forms of energy and agriculture, and more rail-based transportation? Let the debate begin…

What are ordinary people doing across North America in their own communities to prepare for Peak Oil?

Peak Oil will affect the availability and price of transportation fuels, home heating fuels, and most importantly food. There are events and activities happening in YOUR town or city to prepare for these impacts. Get involved!

Renewable and Sustainable energy www.appro.org/links.html

Community produce exchange - Good Idea!
www.neighborhoodproduce.org

Creating livable, sustainable communities
www.newurbanism.org

Options and actions for a post carbon society in your neighbourhood
www.postcarbon.org

Town in California embraces localization
www.energybulletin.net/8480.html