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> When: April 3, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
>> Where: Maui Booksellers, 105 N. Market St., Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i
>> What: This is a follow-up discussion after last month's screening of End of Suburbia. We had a wonderful group of about 15 people for the screening, including high school students, teachers, people experienced at living off the grid, and other concerned citizens.
This next meeting will be a great time to talk about some specific ideas and concerns. I hope attendees will have read an article or two about peak oil and the ramifications of this eventual milestone. [See attached bibliography for some ideas - there are many more!] Sooner or later the expectation of cheap energy will be an anachronism. In the interim, supplies will vary, and the prices of staple items will fluxuate. During this time of uncertainty, there is no doubt in my mind that economies that have 'relocalized' will weather the waves better than those that steadfastly rely on distant resources and support.
Meanwhile, I find it a fascinating exercise to think every day about the degree to which our activities rely on cheap oil. Everything that is transported to Maui; everything that is made of plastics; everything that is processed; and everything that runs on gasoline, electricity, or natural gas all are artificially inexpensive because the price of oil is low. The price of those things will rise significantly, or they will become much more scarce [especially out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean] as competition for oil becomes more heated.
How would life on Maui be different if we lived within an easy walk or bike of our job, shopping, and other activities; if our food were grown on Maui; and if we had easy access to regular public transportation between major population centers?
What changes should we expect? What changes should we prepare for? What changes can be leveraged to improve the quality of life in our communities?
I hope to see you on April 3! Come with ideas, and bring a friend!
Aloha,
Ben on Maui
> When: April 3, 2006, 7:00 p.m.
>> Where: Maui Booksellers, 105 N. Market St., Wailuku, Maui, Hawai'i
>> What: This is a follow-up discussion after last month's screening of End of Suburbia. We had a wonderful group of about 15 people for the screening, including high school students, teachers, people experienced at living off the grid, and other concerned citizens.
This next meeting will be a great time to talk about some specific ideas and concerns. I hope attendees will have read an article or two about peak oil and the ramifications of this eventual milestone. [See attached bibliography for some ideas - there are many more!] Sooner or later the expectation of cheap energy will be an anachronism. In the interim, supplies will vary, and the prices of staple items will fluxuate. During this time of uncertainty, there is no doubt in my mind that economies that have 'relocalized' will weather the waves better than those that steadfastly rely on distant resources and support.
Meanwhile, I find it a fascinating exercise to think every day about the degree to which our activities rely on cheap oil. Everything that is transported to Maui; everything that is made of plastics; everything that is processed; and everything that runs on gasoline, electricity, or natural gas all are artificially inexpensive because the price of oil is low. The price of those things will rise significantly, or they will become much more scarce [especially out here in the middle of the Pacific Ocean] as competition for oil becomes more heated.
How would life on Maui be different if we lived within an easy walk or bike of our job, shopping, and other activities; if our food were grown on Maui; and if we had easy access to regular public transportation between major population centers?
What changes should we expect? What changes should we prepare for? What changes can be leveraged to improve the quality of life in our communities?
I hope to see you on April 3! Come with ideas, and bring a friend!
Aloha,
Ben on Maui
