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The Oil Depletion Protocol and the Relocalization Network

1) Thank you for allowing me to speak today. My name is Andi Hazelwood, I am content editor for Post Carbon Institute. Post Carbon is “a think, action and education tank that offers research, project tools, education and information needed to adapt to an energy constrained world”. Normally as part of my job description, I wouldn't be giving a presentation like this one, so forgive me if it isn't that polished. But, I'm the only Post Carbon employee in Australia, I'm a resident of the Burnett Inland and these issues are important enough to warrant such a presentation. Post Carbon Institute has two initiatives that can help the Burnett Inland through the challenges of oil depletion. One is called, strangely enough, the Oil Depletion Protocol. The second is the Relocalization Network. The best part is, BIEDO has already become involved in these projects and you may not even know it! First, let me tell you about the initiatives:

2) The Oil Depletion Protocol is an international agreement enabling the world to cooperatively and sensibly reduce production, consumption and dependence on oil. The way it works is that oil importing nations agree reduce oil imports by about 3% per year and oil producing nations agree to reduce production by about 3% per year.

3) This is essentially a global rationing system that
- stabilises prices
- preserves and extends the resource base
- reduces competition for remaining supplies
- within ten years carbon emissions would be reduced by over 25%

4) Sweden, Kuwait, Iceland, Cuba and others already in varying degrees of compliance with the Protocol, but it's not just for for the nations of the world. It can also be adopted by individuals, towns, shires and organisations: just commit to reduce your consumption by 3% per year. Determine your oil dependence and vulnerability, create a resolution, build an energy descent plan. Municipalities all over the world are planning for peak oil.
- Portland Oregon, population nearly 3.5 million
- Kinsale Ireland, population twenty two hundred

5) The city of Sebastopol, Ca is also complying with the protocol: they've installed solar panels on their fire station, public works building, and will install them on their police station this year. According to their website at solarsebastopol.com:
- Reducing oil consumption
- Saved the city over $10,000
- Producing more than half their own power
- Payback in 11 years instead of 14
Sebastopol's population is less than 8,000 people

6) Australian organisations that have adopted the protocol:
- Institute for Sensible Transport
- Australian Soil Additives and Products
- geopolitical analysts Francis-Jamison & Co

7) Reducing oil consumption by three percent a year isn't difficult to do
- Using alternative fuels and energies
- Using smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles
- Combining trips
- Eating local, organically grown food
- Avoiding plastic packaging
- Purchasing products made from recycled and natural materials

All of these are ways that we can reduce consumption, individually, organisationally or municipally. Complying with the Oil Depletion Protocol isn't hard, but it requires progressive forethought - which BIEDO has already shown with the upcoming biofuels bash. You can get more information oildepletionprotocol.org. I also have a small number of ODP information sheets available today, please see me after the meeting

8) The second initiative is Post Carbon Institute's Relocalization Network. Relocalization is a strategy that focuses on the local production of food, fuel, energy and goods and the local development of currency, governance and culture.

- Increases community energy security
- Improves environmental conditions, social equity
- Strengthens local economies: keeping the business and profit local instead of importing goods and exporting money
- A $10 note spent on exports leaves the community immediately. The same $10 spent on local goods or services can pass through the hands of members of the community an unlimited number of times. Smart growth.

9) The Relocalization Network currently consists of 122 local groups in 11 countries
- 4 in Australia and 2 in New Zealand, 2 other Australian groups in the process of joining

10) Relocalize.net provides resources, toolkits and project support based on the
experiences and expertise of Local Groups within the Network
- The site's on-line communication tools allow groups to develop and share relocalization strategies
- Collaborate on projects
- Pool resources
- Share information
We are able to work together globally to develop local responses to oil depletion

11) Willits Economic LocaLization, or WELL, in Willits California is an exemplary relocalisation group
- Population only about 5,100
- Projects including a sustainable film series, community gardens, a barter market,
working bees and many more.

12) By looking into localised biofuels production, BIEDO has already begun the relocalisation process. The project is an important step towards reducing oil consumption and relocalising the Burnett Inland, but there is a great deal more that needs to be done. This is where Relocalisation Works in the Burnett Inland - RWBI – comes in. Chérie will tell you more. Thank you very much for your time.