Michigan Land Trustees

Transition Indiana

Keith Johnson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:09:54 -0800

Tidewater Post Carbon Network, Virginia

New Sharon Astyk Book!!!

Keith Johnson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:34:51 -0800

New Sharon Astyk Book!!!

A Nation of Farmers: Defeating the Food Crisis On American Soil

by Sharon Astyk

Once
we could fill our grocery carts with cheap and plentiful food, but not
anymore. Cheap food has gone the way of cheap oil. Climate change is
already reducing crop yields worldwide. The cost of flying in food from
far away and shipping it across the country in refrigerated trucks is
rapidly becoming unviable. Cars and cows increasingly devour grain
harvests, sending prices skyrocketing. More Americans than ever before
require food stamps and food pantries just to get by, and a worldwide
food crisis is unfolding, overseas and in our kitchens.

We
can keep hunger from stalking our families, but doing so will require a
fundamental shift in our approach to field and table. A Nation of Farmers
examines the limits and dangers of the globalized food system and shows
how returning to the basics is our best hope. The book includes
in-depth guidelines for:

Creating resilient local food systems
Growing, cooking, and eating sustainably and naturally
Becoming part of the solution to the food crisis

The
book argues that we need to make self-provisioning, once the most
ordinary of human activities, central to our lives. The results will be
better food, better health, better security, and freedom from
corporations that don’t have our interests at heart.

This is critical reading for anyone who eats and cares about high-quality food.

Sharon Astyk farms in New York, and is the author of Depletion and Abundance.

Aaron Newton is a sustainable systems land planner in North Carolina, and is the founding editor of Groovy Green.

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

Change Your Fuel - Change the World

Keith Johnson — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 19:32:05 -0800

Change Your Fuel - Change the World

Just watched the trailer for this film. Looking forward to the rest...

Fuel
In theaters: November 14, 2008
Record
high oil prices, global warming, and an insatiable demand for energy:
these issues will be the catalyst for heated debates and positive
change for many years to come. 2008 Sundance award-winning film FUEL
exposes shocking connections between the auto industry, the oil
industry and the government, while exploring alternative energies such
as solar, wind, electricity and non-food-based biofuels. Josh Tickell
and his Veggie Van take us on the road as we discover the pros and cons
of biofuels, how America’s addiction to oil is destroying the U.S.
economy and how green energy can save us, but only if we act now.

As
the media begins to "get" the film, we're beginning to receive
questions that are far more diverse. The connection between our
national addiction to oil and our failing economy is becoming clearer
by the day. (I was disheartened to see Circuit City is closing over 100
stores - right before the holiday season - ouch!) And now, with yet
another bailout for automakers on the table, we see another issue
covered in FUEL - how to restart America's dying auto industry. My
personal feeling is the $25 billion would be better spent with new
companies that are already producing green cars. GM's 40 mile per
charge VOLT is a joke, especially when independent car companies
already have 120 mile per charge vehicles on their production lines.
Why subsidize the fossil car companies? They've destroyed their home
city Detroit, they've kept innovation out of the marketplace through
monopolistic activity and they have displayed a lack of leadership and
a consistent distaste for progressive ideas that cut the use of FUEL.
We go to Detroit in the movie FUEL - once people see what's really
going on with these car companies - I think they'll agree that the big
3 should be giving the American public $25 billion back - not the other
way around.

Genre:Documentary
Director:Josh Tickell
Cast:Barbara Boxer, Sir Richard Branson, Sheryl Crow, Larry David, Laurie David, Larry Hagman, Woody Harrelson

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

New Blogs of Interest to Relocalizers

Keith Johnson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 09:56:05 -0700

Association for Regenerative Culture

Continental Bioregional Blog

Bloomington (IN) Permaculture Guild

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

A Resource Index for Bioregions

Keith Johnson — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:58:38 -0700

Green Jobs for a Green Economy

BIOREGIONAL ORGANIZATION
A Resource Index for Bioregions

(from Chapter 14, Strategies for an Alternative Nation,
Permaculture: A Designer’s Manual, by Bill Mollison)

A bioregional association is an association of the residents of a natural and identifiable region. This
region is sometimes defined by a watershed, sometimes by remnant or
existing tribal or language boundaries, at times by town boundaries,
suburban streets, or districts, and at times by some combination of the
above factors. Many people identify with their local region or
neighborhood and know its boundaries.

There
is an obvious conflict between the need to live in a region in a
responsible way (bioregional centrality) and the need to integrate with
other people in other places (global outreach). We need not only to
"think globally and act locally", but to "act and think globally and locally".

The
region is our home address, the place where we develop our culture, and
take part in bioregional networks. Through global associations and
"families of common interest" we cross not only the regional but also
state and national borders to set up multicultural alliances.

Just
as bioregions need a federal congress periodically, so do they
occasionally need global congresses; societies or families also need
global meetings to break down the idea of defended regional boundaries
to humanity. Ethics and principles of self-governance, interdependence, and voluntary simplicity or restriction of human numbers on earth still apply at regional and outreach levels. Intermarriage,
visits, mutual trade and aid, skills exchange, and educational exchange
between regions of very different cultures enrich both. This is
the antithesis of "integration" (bureaucratic genocide) that is
promulgated by majority groups who disallow language use and cultural
life to minorities. In particular, reciprocal education values both
sets of knowledge and world concepts, and respects others' lifestyles.

Ideally,
the region so defined can be limited to that occupied by from 7000 to
40,000 people. Of these, perhaps only a hundred will be initially
interested in any regional association, and even less will be active in
it. The work of the bioregional group
is to assess the natural, technical, service, and financial resources
of the region, and to identify areas where leakage of resources (water,
soil, money, talent) leaves the region. This quickly points the way to
local self-reliance strategies.

People
can be called on to write accounts of their specialties, as they apply
to the region, and regional news sheets publish results as they come
in. Once areas of action have been defined, regional groups can be
formed into associations dealing with specific areas, e.g.:

· Food: Consumer-producer associations and gardening or soil societies
· Shelter Owner-builder associations
· Energy: Appropriate technology association
· Finance: An "earthbank" association

And
so on for crafts, music, markets, livestock, and nature study or any
other interest. The job of the bioregional office is complex, and it
needs 4-6 people to act as consultants and coordinators, with others on
call when needed. All other associations can use the office for any
necessary registration, address, phone, and newsletter services, and
pay a fee for usage.

Critical
services and links can be built by any regional office; it can serve as
a land access center. It can also act as leasehold and title register,
or to service agreements for clubs, organizations, and societies. More
importantly, the regional office can offer and house community
self-funding schemes, and collect monies for trusts and societies.

The
regional office also serves as a contact center to other regions, and
thus as a trade or coordination center. One regional office makes it
very easy for any resident or visitor to contact all services and
associations offering in the region, and also greatly reduces costs of
communication for all groups. An accountant on call can handily
contract to service many groups. The regional group can also invite
craftspeople or lecturers to address interest groups locally, sharing
income from this educational enterprise.

Some
of the topics that can be included in a regional directory are as
follows. These can be taken topic by topic, sold at first by the page,
and finally put together as a loose-leaf notebook (volunteers enter
local resource centers and addresses under each category; the system is
best suited to computer retrieval). The following Resource index for Bioregions has been compiled by Maxine Cole and Bill Mollison for the Northern Rivers Bioregional Association of New South Wales, Australia.

The primary categories are as follows:

A. Food and food support systems
B. Shelter and buildings
C. Livelihoods and support services
D. Information, media, communication, and research
E. Community and security
F. Social life
G. Health services
H. Future trends
L. Transport services
M. Appendices (maps, publications of the bioregion)

All of the above sections can contain case histories of successful strategies in that area.

CRITERIA:
Practical resources (people, skills, machinery, services, biological
products) essential to the functioning of a small region, and assisting
the conservation of resources, regional cash flow, the survival of
settlement, employment and community security. (Security here means a
cooperative neighborhoods and ample, sustainable resources for people.)

CATEGORY A - FOOD AND FOOD SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Criteria: Native and economic species, organic and biocide free, products of good nutritional value

Al. Plant resources

1.1 Nurseries and propagation centers, tissue culture, sources of inoculants, mycorrhiza
1.2 Plant collections and botanical gardens, economic plant assemblies, aquatic species
1.3 Research institutes, horticultural and pastoral agencies
1.4 Seed sources and seed exchanges
1.5 Native species reserves and nurseries
1.6 Demonstration farms and gardens, teaching centers, workshop conveners.
1.7 Government departments and their resources, regulations
1.8 Voluntary agencies involved in plant protection, planting, and propagation
1.9 Skilled people, botanists, horticulturists
1.10 Publications and information leaflets of use in the region, reference books, libraries, posters
1.11 Contractors and consultancy groups: implementation of plant systems, farm designs.
1.12 Produce: products and producers in region, growers
1.13 Checklist of vegetables, fruits and nuts which can be grown in the region and species useful for other than food provision

A2. Animal resources

2.1 Breeders and stud or propagation centers, artificial insemination, hatcheries
2.2 Species collections, including worms and like invertebrates
2.3 Fish breeders and aquatic species
2.4 Useful native species collections and reserves, potential for cultivation
2.5 Demonstration farms, e.g. free range, bee culture, workshop conveners, teaching centers
2.6 Government departments and their resources, regulations
2.7 Voluntary agencies and animal protection societies
2.8 Skilled people, farriers, vets, natural historian
2.9 Contractors (shearers, etc.) and consultancy groups, farm designers
2.10 Publications, posters, libraries for the region
2.11 Produce: species and suppliers in region

A3. Integrated pest management (IPM)

3.1 Insectaries and invertebrate predator breeders and suppliers of biological controls
3.2 Suppliers of safe control chemicals, trap
3.3 Information sources on IPM
3.4 Pest management of stored grains and foods
3 5 References and libraries
3.6 Checklist of common pests and predators, and safe pest control procedures

A4. Processing and food preservation

4.1 Suppliers of processing equipment
4.2 Food Processing Centers (FPCs)
4.3 Information sources on food processing and preservation
4.4 Sources of yeasts, bacterial and algal ferment materials
4.5 Processed-product producers in region

A5. Markets and outlets

5.1 Local markets, farmer’s markets
5.2 Delivery services
5.3 Export markets and wholesalers
5.4 Urban-rural co-op systems, direct marketing
5.5 Retail outlets
5.6 Market advisory skills and groups, contract and legal skills
5.7 Roadside and self-pick sales
5.8 Market packaging and package suppliers, ethical packaging systems and designs
5.9 Annual barter fair, health fairs, conferences, etc.

A6. Support services and products for food production

6.1 Residue testing services for biocides, also nutrient, mineral and vitamin content (food quality control)
6.2 Soil, water and leaf analysis services for micronutrients and soil additives, water analyses, pH levels
6.3 Hydrological and water supply services (dams, domestic water), design and implementation.
6.4 Fence and trellis suppliers and services, cattle grids and gates
6.5 Suppliers of natural fertilizers, mulch materials, trace elements, soil amendments
6.6
Farm machinery, garden and domestic tool suppliers (see also
processing), appropriate and tested equipment, fabricators and
designers, repair services, hire and contract services
6.7 Land planning services
6.8 Greenhouse, shadehouse, food dryers, suppliers, and appropriate materials.
6.9 Lime quarries and sources, stone dusts, local trace mineral sources, regional geological resources

CATEGORY B - SHELTER, BUILDINGS
Criteria: Energy efficient house design and non-toxic materials only

B1. Construction materials

1.1 Timber growers and suppliers, community timber plantations
1.2 Stone and gravel, earth materials
1.3 Plumbing and piping, drainage, roofing
1.4 Bricks and concrete products (tanks, blocks, etc.)
1.5 Tiles and surfaces, paints (non-toxic)
1.6 Furniture and fittings
1.7 Tools and fasteners, tool sharpening services and repairs, glues and tapes
1.8 Library and research resources
1.9 Current state of housing in the region (numbers seeking housing, rentals available)
1.10 Sources of toxins and unsafe materials in buildings, appliances, furnishings, paints and glues; high voltage equipment

B2. Energy systems

2.1 Home appliances for energy conservation and efficiency, energy saving and insulation
2.2 Hot water systems, solar systems
2.3 Space heating and house design for the region
2.4 Power generation systems for region: current and proposed
2.5 Appropriate technology groups, research centers and demonstrations
2.6 Designers of low energy home systems and buildings
2.7 Sources of information, publications, trade literature, and library resources
2.8 Reliable contractors and builders

B3. Wastes, recycling

3.1 Sewage and greywater disposal (domestic)
3.2 Compost systems and organics
3.3 Solid wastes disposal and collection (boxes, bottles, plastics)
3.4 Occupations based on waste recycling

CATEGORY C - LIVELIHOODS & SUPPORT SYSTEMS

Criteria: Concept of right livelihood or socially useful work. Durable and well-made items

C1. Community finance and recycling
1.1 Barter and exchange
1.2 Small business loans
1.3 Community banking and investment systems
1.4 Land access systems, cooperatives, leases, trusts.
1.5 Legal and information services.
1.6 Local currencies

C2. Livelihood support services

2.1 Small business service centers, business incubators
2.2 Skills resource bank: business, legal and financial advisory services, volunteer and retired people
2.3 Self-employment (work from fulfilling regional needs: job vacancy lists)
2.4 Training courses in region

C 3. Essential trades, and manufacturing services and skills

3.1 Clothing and cloth (spinning, weaving)
3.2 Footwear and accessories, leatherwork
3.3 Basketry and weaving, mats and screens
3.4 Functional pottery
3.5 Steelwork, fitting and turning, smithing and casting, welding
3.6 Functional woodwork
3.7 Engines and engine repairs
3.8 Functional glasswork
3.9 Paper recycling and manufacture, book trades, printing and binding
3.10 Catering and cooking (food preparation)
3.11 Drafting and illustrating services
3.12 Soaps, cleaning materials

CATEGORY D - INFORMATION SYSTEMS, MEDIA SERVICES, COMMUNICATIONS AND RESEARCH.

Criteria: Essential community information, aids, and research

D1. Communications networks

1.1 Regional radio and C.B., ham radio
1.2 Regional news and newspapers, newsletters.
1.3 Audio-visual services, photography, television, film
1.4
Business and research communications e.g. fax, telex, modem, card
files, computer, journals, libraries, graphics, telephone answering
services
1.5 Computer services and training
1.6 Libraries and collections of data in region
1.7 Maps
1.8 Bioregional groups and contacts—local and overseas
1.9 Standard documents and data sheets available via the bioregional center

CATEGORY E - COMMUNITY AND SECURITY.

E1. House and livestock security

1.1 House siting
1.2 Neighborhood watch
1.3 Cattle and livestock watch

E2. Fire volunteers and reports
E3. Flood (cleanup)
E4. Woodland, cliff, beach rescue services
E5. Communication systems

5.1 Report center.
5.2 Emergency communications

CATEGORY F- SOCIAL LIFE.

Criteria: Assistance for isolated people to meet people of like mind

F1. Introductory services
F2. Think tanks
F3. Expeditions
F4. Work groups
F4. Art, Music, Theater, Dance, Play

CATEGORY G - HEALTH SERVICES.

Criteria: Basic preventative and common ailment treatment, necessary hospitalization, accident treatment, local resources

G1. Medical and pharmaceutical services
G2. Surgical and hospitalization service
G3. Gynecological and midwifery services, home birth support
G4. Profile of morbidity in region, life expectancy, infant mortality, causes of death, ailments in order of importance, under:

4.1 Accidents & injuries; infectious diseases; addictions & drugs.
4.2 Genetic and birth defects; nutritional problems.
Note: until the above listing is made, no region can assess health priorities.

CATEGORY H - FUTURE TRENDS & POTENTIAL THREATS TO THE REGION (AS A SERIES OF RESEARCH ESSAYS).

H1. Climate change
H2. Ozone depletion
H3. Water pollution and biocides: radioactives and chemical or waste pollution.
H4. Financial collapse: recession
H5. Implications for policy making
H6. Deforestation
H7. Soil erosion
H8. Fuel shortages
H9. Food shortages
H10. Etc.

CATEGORY I - TRANSPORT (SEE ALSO CATEGORY H).

I1. Barge and river systems
I2. Draft animal systems
I3. Joint or group delivery/ portage
I4. Innovations: local fuels and new sorts of vehicles
I5. Transport routes, bikeways
I6. Air and ultralight craft, blimps

CATEGORY M - APPENDICES.

Maps-

Bioregional map
Geological
Plant system
Soils
Sources and reference to maps, suppliers
Regions, parishes,
Land titles
Access and roads
Conservation land and easements
Rivers and water supplies

Note
that if essential services are listed, deficiencies noted, and leaks of
capital detected, then there is immediately obvious a category of "jobs
vacant" if, in addition, there is a modest investment or funding
organization set up (itself a job), then capital to train and equip
people to fill these gaps is also available. When basic needs are
supplied locally, research and skills will reveal work in producing
excess for traded this excess can be as information and education to
other regions.

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

Local Future Conference in Michigan / Peak Oil Conference in Michigan

Keith Johnson — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:29:59 -0700

Michigan's Future Conf.
Sustainability Conference
Video Presentations
Middleville (Pilot)
Grand Rapids
Michigan
Organizer
Join

Local Future
Paths to Sustainability

Conference on
Michigan's Future - Nov. 14-16, 2008 Crystal Mountain Resort,
Thompsonville, MI

"The Conference of Michigan's
Future: Energy, Economy & Environment" looks at the
challenges of the monetary crisis and the oil crisis and proposes realistic,
job creating solutions for Michigan.

Over two-dozen speakers are confirmed
including Richard Heinberg, Albert Bates, Ellen Brown, Paul Murray,
Tony Earley, and Jerry Norica.

If you care about Michigan's future, take a
moment to visit the Michigan Conference
web site and consider participating to help create a brand new vision for
Future
Michigan.

Conference on
Peak Oil & Climate Change - Online

Local Future hosts the
International Conference on Peak Oil and Climate Change: Paths to
Sustainability.

The inaugural conference features 50 presenters including Richard Heinberg, Julian Darley, Dr. David Goodstein,
Megan Quinn Bachman, Stephanie Mills, and Pat Murphy.

NEW! -
Watch conference presentations & download podcasts
for free.

Introduction to
Local Future

Unemployment, inflation, war, peak
oil, climate change, biodiversity loss, overpopulation -- global problems that
need local solutions.

Local Future helps communities
develop
compassionate, sustainable, local, systems to provide jobs, food, energy, transportation,
and essential services.

Local Future Network members develop these systems by helping their
community to transition
from dependent units of the failed global economy; to independent cultures of compassionate, sustainable, local economy.

Global Problems

The global economic system creates problems which threaten
humanity and the planet:

peak oil

climate change

over population

resource depletion

widespread pollution

misallocation of power

institutional cruelty

economic instability

environmental destruction

geopolitical conflict & war

This unsustainable global economic system fails to protect
humans, the environment, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
It does not meet the long term goals of
civilization.

When a system fails to such a catastrophic
degree, it is time for change.

Local Solutions

New local systems must be
developed that are grounded in a value system of truth, compassion,
understanding, sustainability, renewal and community. Developing new
systems takes dedicated individuals who share the common value system,
walk a common path, and move towards a common vision of the future.
Local systems are needed to provide:

jobs - that are challenging, safe and
community oriented

money -
community currency that creates jobs, motivates
progress and reinforces values

food - that is nutritious, compassionate, sustainable, organic
and available year-round

energy - heat, electricity and fuels
from renewable sun, wind, water and biomass sources

transportation - utilizing ride
sharing, mass transit, community vehicles and human power

homes
- safe, comfortable and welcoming, zero energy new homes and retrofits

water - fresh, clean, free water that
is owned and managed locally

waste management -
emphasizing reduce, reuse and recycling

health care - high quality, low cost,
community based services and prevention

education - local teachers dedicated to
providing continuing service

security
- utilizing
open communication, problem solving, education and dialogue

entertainment - opportunities for all
to participate and enjoy

culture - celebrating diversity and history

spirituality
- inviting all people to explore the deeper questions of life

Members of Local Future Network communicate and meet to learn, support,
plan, and act. They take the initiative to increase independence for
themselves and their communities. Their shared value
system of truth, compassion, understanding, sustainability, renewal and
community guides their actions toward a vision of a prosperous local future.

Join Local Future

You are invited to make the future a better
place.

Join the Local Future Network.

The Conference on
Michigan's Future
Energy, Economy &
Environment

Crystal Mountain Resort,
Thompsonville, MI
Friday, Nov. 14 - Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008

Local Future
Videos
Lights, Camera, Action for
Sustainability

Local Future published the following
videos for educational use. These videos, when combined with recommended
resources, provide an excellent start on learning how and why we will be living
a local future.

Peak Oil: The Energy
Crisis of Oil Supply Depletion
Aaron Wissner, 10 min

Supply, Demand and Price: The Economics 101 of Peak Oil
Aaron Wissner,
1 min

Conference Welcome
and the Greening of Grand Rapids Michigan
George Heartwell, 10 min

Peak Oil and Energy Explained by Dr. Vernon Ehlers,
U.S. Representative
Vernon Ehlers, 14 min

Peak Oil
(and Gas Prices) in Five Slides
Aaron Wissner, 3 min

What Does it Take to be Sustainable? Some Examples
Aaron Wissner, 9 min

Beyond Sustainability: Surviving Peak Oil and Climate Change
Pat Murphy, 38 min

Surviving Peak Oil, Thriving in Community
Megan Quinn Bachman, 33 min

Peak Oil: How do we know? Is recession coming? What about
insurance?
Aaron Wissner, 3 min

Crude Awakening: Peak Oil and
the End of Cheap Energy: Part 1
Tim Hudson, 1 hour

Crude Awakening: Peak Oil and
the End of Cheap Energy: Part 2
John Richter, 1 hour

Re-Energizing America: Rescuing America from its Costly Fossil Fuel
Addiction
Dan Chiras, 1 hour

Curtailment & Community: Survival Strategies for Peak Oil & Climate Change
Megan Quinn Bachman, 20 min

Interview with Megan Quinn
Bachman on Peak Oil and Community Solutions
Megan Quinn Bachman, 15 min

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

Crisis Shopping

Keith Johnson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:35:52 -0700

Crisis Shopping: Food Storage When You Haven’t Been Storing Food

Sharon Astyk October 2nd, 2008

Several
readers have asked me to do a piece on what to do if you have been
procrastinating about food storage, but plan to stock up before the end
of the world (I’ve heard that Paulson and Bernanke have scheduled that
for this weekend, but it could potentially be moved due to a conflict
with some other disaster ;-).) So for all you procrastinators out
there, here are my suggestions.

Now
let’s note - my first suggestion is not to procrastinate. Because
unless you are fairly well off, procrastinating and buying a lot of
food probably means putting it on your credit card and paying it off.
Not only is this extremely risky (I would not bet on any version of the
apocalypse that doesn’t actually involve real zombies to get you off
the hook with your credit card - and I’m pretty sure that they have
zombie collection agents already, so maybe not even then.), it means
that you will pay interest on the food, thus mitigating much of the
benefit of even having it. But I do also know that sometimes one gets a
big check, bonus, windfall, sells something or maybe the food is worth
the price. So let’s assume that you all know better, and are doing it
anyway.

Let us also assume that you
are doing this shortly before everyone else starts their panic buying
or shortly after (which makes it harder and makes the selection of
stores more crucial), and that one or two stop shopping is the name of
the game - you need to get as much that is useful as possible, as
quickly as possible, perhaps not using much gas. So let’s start with
where to shop.

My top few choices, in no particular order:

1.
BJs/Sams Club/Costco: This is probably the most accessible (ie, lots of
people have these reasonably nearby) and has most of the things you’ll
really want. The downside is that often the bulk prices aren’t really
very much or at all cheaper than smaller sizes, that the warehouses are
huge and shopping there annoying and that they probably won’t have
anything ethnic, or a large selection of nutritious things. Also will
probably be mobbed if there’s a real or perceived immanent crisis. My
tip for shopping here: if there isn’t an immanent apocalypse, you can
probably get a free 1 shot membership to do a stockup even if you
can’t/don’t want to pay the fee - they usually offer trials, and if you
say you’d like to check it out, this can often be arranged.

2. An Asian grocery store of some sort. Best grain source for rice and
often some kinds of noodles in quantity and quality, often have large
quanties of spices and useful flavorings quite cheaply. The downside is
that unless you cook asian food you will be confronted by many
unfamiliar items, and you may find yourself with all the ingredients
for Nasi Goreng, or Palak Paneer and no recipes, or idea whether you
like it ;-). Also, not common in areas without large Asian or Indian
subcontinental populations, so it might not be available. Tip for
shopping here: go when it is quiet (weekends are tough) and ask for
help - there’s usually someone who can help you figure out what you are
buying.

3. A feed store. If a panic
has already begun, this might actually be your best bet for getting
large quantities of edible grains and pet food (plus livestock feed if
you’ve got this). If you buy organic, whole feed grains, they should be
adequate for human eating - and they come in 50lb quantities. Pick up
your emergency supply of dog or cat food, some seeds for spring, and
cracked corn and whole oats for you (and your horses). The downside:
feed grains may not be especially tasty, organic feed is pricey, feed
mixes may have things you don’t want, unless you live in a reasonably
rural area, there probably won’t be one. Tip for shopping here: human
consumption grains would be a better choice - save this option for food
for yourself for a true crisis.

4.
A coop or bulk food store. Coops are great because they tend to be run
by good people and have reasonable prices. Privately owned bulk food
stores also have good stuff - the thing is, most of these won’t have
large quantities of staples in large bags - you’ll have to empty out
the bins or place an order in advance. Still, not a bad place to get
unusual ingredients, seasonings, yeasts, salt, nutritional supplements
and meet special dietary needs. Tip for shopping here - you might ask
if they have any bulk grains they can sell in larger quantities lying
around - instead of asking for “50lbs of wheat” you might come at it
the other way, asking what they’ve got a lot of.

5.
Odd lots store/dollar stores: These are unlikely to have large
quantities of things, but if you’ve got a big enough vehicle, you might
be able to buy a pallet load of weird cereal by a a manufacturer you’ve
never heard of for $1 box. These are good places to get canned goods
and to pick up bug out bag foods that are light, nutritionally dense
and portable. Soap and shampoo are often cheap here as well, and you
may be able to get a few needed household goods, a couple of extra
flashlights and whatever. Tips for shopping here: if you see something
you want, snag it then - inventory changes fast.

6.
Supermarkets - this is the classic crisis food shopping space, and the
one that tends to get ripped into pieces until all that is left is
Preparation H. These are to be avoided if you can avoid them during an
actual crisis. If not, get there as early as you can, avoid the bottled
water aisle (store some water in empty bottles instead and save your
money for food). If you must hit one of these, choose one with a health
food section and bulk bins, and ideally, a supercenter sort of thing,
where you can also pick up anything else you need. Tip: Even if the
crisis is likely to be long term, most people see supermarkets as a
place to get short term needs met - so you are likely to find that
staple foods and things like vitamins sell worse than boxed chocolate
chip cookies. This is good, since you want more staples than cookies.

7.
Drugstores, hardware stores, etc…: I’ve included these because you may
have to stop at one - you may need a refill of your medication, to fix
up the family first aid kit, or to buy flashlights. If you do need to
stop, and are doing them in a rush, take a couple of minutes and think
about other needs you might meet in such a place - drugstores may have
some food and cheap spices, hardware stores may have other useful
things at reasonable prices, like seeds. I’m not saying you should buy
everything in sight, just working under the assumption that you may be
able to make a limited number of stops. Generally speaking, though, if
you can, you might want to consolidate trips the other way, and get
your meds at a place that also primarily sells food.

Ok,
now what to get. This assumes you mostly eat a regular American style
diet (which ideally you don’t), that we shouldn’t push you too hard,
and that you will be shopping at the above sorts of stores. That is, if
you normally eat a lot of dal or mung bean noodles, please do add them
to your plan. This is meant to cover mainstream ground - it is not
meant to imply optimalization.

Here’s
what I’d concentrate on. I am not including quantities here, because I
don’t know how much you can afford, how big your household is, etc…
What you should do is get as much as you can afford/haul and *manage*
without spoilage. That means, get only what you can find a safe, bug
and rodent proof spot for.

I’m also
assuming that you don’t have a lot of fancy equipment - ie, I think
life would be better for you if you had a grain grinder, but I’m going
to assume no.

1. Vitamins. Get
enough for everyone in the household. Regular, generic mulivites are
fine, and any special supplement you take (although if these are
optional luxuries and money is tight, forego the vitamin E capsules for
more food instead). Yes, it is better to get your nutrients from food,
but this is important. Also make sure you pick up children’s or
prenatal vitamins if anyone in your household has a special need for
these. You might also want to pick up a couple of bottles of vitamin C
tablets.

2. Rice - as much brown
rice as you can eat (and remember, you may be eating a lot more of it
than you have been) in 3 months, plus as much white rice as you can.
Why rice? It is widely available - even supermarkets sell it in 10 or
20lb bags in many cases. It is comparatively cheap, it is
hypo-allergenic (ie, nearly everyone can eat it including infants and
the ill), and it is familiar to people in just about every culture in
the world. Brown rice is dramatically more nutritious, but it is also
prone to spoilage - maximum storage is about 1 year, and it often goes
rancid before that. A not-insignificant percentage of the population
can’t taste rancidity in grains at all, so won’t know if the rice is
still good to eat. So it is safest to get a short time supply of brown
rice, and then mostly use white rice (supplemented with more nutritous
grains).

2. Flour - get as much
whole wheat flour as you can use in 6 months, and then get unbleached
white flour. Again, you’ll be using the less nutritious form of the
grain, but at least you’ll have food.

3. Rolled or steel cut oats. Get as many packages as you can. These are
fairly nutritious and will help balance out some of the white stuff in
your diet. This is breakfast.

4.
Legumes: These include beans, split peas, lentils, cowpeas, pigeon
peas, etc… Buy 1/3 of the weight of your combined grains (flour, oats
and rice) in dry form. Check out the ethnic foods section for large
quantities. These will provide protein, fiber and a host of other
goodies. Don’t be afraid to try unfamiliar things here - they have a
fairly wide taste range, but if you can eat one, you can eat another.

5.
Something that sprouts. If you get stuck eating off your stored food in
the winter or a summer dry season, when not much is going on, sprouts
can save you. Ideally, you’d have a variety, from broccoli to onion to
mung bean… In reality, you may not have much of a choice. But a lot of
things in the bulk bins at whole foods or your health store, or
available other places will sprout. They include whole wheat, alfalfa
sprouts (just make sure you aren’t getting seed that is treated, and
only use organic), untreated sunflower seeds, and a host of designated
sprouting seeds. Nutrionally, if I had a choice I’d get broccoli,
alfalfa and sunflower, as well as wheat, but you’ll be fine with just
one.

5. Some other protein food -
unless you are quite odd, you probably will not enjoy rice and beans
for dinner, bread and beans for lunch and oatmeal for breakfast every
day. You will be fine eating this - maybe even healthier, but you would
be happier if you had something with a bit more fat, flavor and protein
density, particularly if you are shifting from an average American
diet. You do not need a lot of this - you might prefer a lot, but it

Best choices:

1. Whole nuts, flaxseeds or sunflower seeds in the shell

2. Peanut butter. Not the natural stuff - you want it shelf stable and in large quantities.

3.
Canned fish - don’t overdo this if you have kids, are pregnant or
nursing. But canned fish does have important nutrients, is tasty and
makes people happy. Canned wild salmon is lowest in mercury, but can
have high levels of PCBs. Don’t forget sardines, mackerel and other
unusual fishes. Don’t go crazy also because it isn’t good for what’s
left of the oceans, but occasional fish is good.

4. Shelf stable tofu, dried tofu sticks (asian groceries) or other stable soy protein.

5.
Canned meat - I’m not a big fan of this, generally speaking, because
unless you have a ton of money, canned meat is always from horrible
sources, often troublesome in environmental ways, and doesn’t taste
good. But others love their spam, and I won’t try and turn you away
from it. Again, though, you don’t need that much - think occasional
treat, and enjoy the flavoring and fat.

6. Fat: Olive oil in metal tins keeps several years if kept cool -
that’s what I’d get of the choices available, with a bit of coconut oil
to provide a tasty, shelf stable fat for piecrusts and “butter.” If you
have to go cheap, get what you can afford that’s not too awful.

7.
Dried fruit - if you are at a Sam’s Club type-place, you can buy big
sealed bags of dried raisins or cranberries or something. Otherwise,
you can take what’s available at the dollar stores or go hunting in the
bulk bins. You want this for nutritional reasons, and so that you don’t
get so constipated you can’t breathe. Also good for kids, to help them
transition, or picky adults who are kind of like kids.

8.
Powdered milk, soy, or rice milk. This is for calcium, protein to
enable you to bake, to add creaminess to things, etc…. It will never
taste like real milk, but you can live with it. It lasts a long time,
and you can use it baking if nothing happens, so you might as well get
as much as you can.

9. Salt - get
a bunch, iodized for eating (you only need a little of this - and if
you don’t want to store iodized salt or want something better, you can
also buy dulse or kelp supplements to meet this need, but the easiest,
most stable source is iodized salt) and uniodized for preserving,
livestock if you’ve got it, brushing teeth, etc… This is cheap, and
necessary to life.

10. Sweeteners -
unless you have weaned yourself off of this entirely, you will want
these. Sugar is probably cheapest, a lot of bulk honey is watered down
or sugar syruped up. But you can use maple syrup, sugar, sorghum or
whatever is most easily available. You may also need to stretch it - so
work on reducing sugar now. We don’t need anywhere near as much as we
eat.

11. Canned vitamin rich
vegetables. Get a couple of flats each of pumpkin/squash/sweet
potatoes, and some kind of canned green (mustard or turnip greens hold
together better than spinach). If you are used to eating fresh, these
will not taste as good as fresh - but can be mixed into things in the
background to add nutrition. Make sure that you use the liquid from the
greens as well. Some canned fruit is nice too, if you have room/can
afford it. Canned pineapple is, to my mind, the best tasting
commercially canned fruit.

Alternately
(and better), you might be able to hit a farmstand and get sweet
potatoes, cabbage and turnips, which would be much better for you,
tastier and local, but the assumption of this discussion is that you
aren’t doing that. Still, if there’s anyway to buy fresh food that can
be root cellared, you’ll be a lot happier than relying on canned
veggies.

12. Something(s) to flavor
water/powdered milk. This depends on your preference, but if you are
using non-traditional water sources, or drinking powdered milk for the
first time, making it taste better will be worth a lot. Plus, if you
are a tea or coffee person, you will be sad without them. So get vacuum
packed cans of coffee, or lots of tea, cocoa. And if you have kids, or
vitamin C worries, or the water tastes horrible, you might want to get
some Tang or HiC powdered drink mix. The stuff is icky, but will add
some sweetness, and also some nutrition, while covering the taste of
bad water.

13. This is
controversial, but you might want some alcohol. There are a couple of
reasons. First, if things are bad enough and you have no major
responsibilities, you might want to get drunk. Second, and more
practically, a small amount of alcohol in your water will kill many
bacteria, and is safer than inadequately filtered water. Oh, and you
can probably use it like money to get other things.

14.
Lots of seasonings. Varying your meals is key. Buy lots of spices, and
you may also want ketchup, mustard, hot sauce, chili-garlic paste,
fermented black beans, chutney, worcestershire…whatever. Depending on
what you can afford and where you are, don’t forget this.

15.
Get some treats. You will need them. So put some smoked oysters, a few
bags of chocolate chips, some beef jerky, peanut brittle - whatever you
or your family crave. I’d also suggest some kind of small candy that
stores fairly well (we use those tiny dum-dum lollipops which come in
bags of a zillion) to be doled out as rewards for children who are
eating their new diet reasonably graciously and responding to their new
reality - they are small and sweet and ease transitions. Adults might
need other bribes. Also, don’t forget the ingredients for your special
Easter bread, matza balls, or whatever other special occasions your
family will still want to remember.

16.
Some things that are dense and require minimal cooking in case you have
to evacuate or if you are under stress - some ramen, some dried fruit,
energy bars, instant bean soups, canned soup, etc…

Then
add some extra batteries (if you aren’t already stocked), gas for the
car and the can, a way to cook without power (sterno, camp stove,
woodstove, more propane for the grill), and water purifiers (it will be
easiest if you get this first). Ta da! You are ready for the zombies!

Sharon

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

Sarah Preys

Keith Johnson — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 12:31:16 -0700

No comment necessary (from All Hat No Cattle).

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

Plan C: Individual and Community Survival Strategies for the Energy Crisis

Keith Johnson — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 11:53:45 -0700

Plan C: cooperate, conserve, curtail....

Plan C: Individual and Community Survival Strategies for the Energy Crisis
The Fifth Annual US Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions October 31 - November 2, 2008 Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan www.plancconference.org

At
this groundbreaking conference participants will explore strategies for
reducing energy use in the areas of housing, food and transportation,
including both theory and practice. We will examine the long energy
decline of the 21st century, the psychological barriers to rapid
change, and the challenge of persuading our communities to embrace
local, low-energy living. Attendance
at this conference may be of critical importance at this time when the
ongoing energy crisis is being compounded by the very real threat of
credit and financial collapse.

Our survival is now, more than ever, in question. And
it is more urgent than ever that we gather in Michigan to evaluate
survival strategies and disseminate skills for growing food, creating
local food security in their communities, retrofitting homes to reduce
reliance on fossil fuels, and educating their communities to prepare
for the difficult times we are facing.

Skyrocketing
oil prices, mounting geopolitical tensions, grave economic realities,
and dangerous climate changes are threatening our lives and communities
like never before. The age of cheap, abundant fossil fuels is coming to
an end, and urgent action is required to transform our overly
consumptive society into one that uses far less energy.

By
acting now, you can significantly cut your personal household energy
use and overall consumption, support more localized economic
production, and reduce your dependence on high energy transportation in
your daily life. By doing this, you will be helping to create a more
resilient and sustainable community adapted to the coming economic and
ecological storms.

The
conference will also feature in-depth workshops and panels, Connection
Café discussion tables with area experts, an eco tour slide show,
screenings of award winning films, entertainment, tours of local green
buildings, a Green Living Expo, and healthy shared meals.

Schedule of Presentations and Workshops:
* Keynoter John Michael Greer, author of the forthcoming The Long Descent: A User’s Guide to the End of the Industrial Age
* Keynoter Dmitry Orlov, author of Reinventing Collapse: Soviet Example and American Prospects
* Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow, Post Carbon Institute, author of The Party’s Over and Powerdown (via webcast)
* Katrin Klingenberg, director of the Passive House Institute US
* Peter Bane, editor of Permaculture Activist
* Christopher Bedford, President of the Center for Economic Security and the Sweetwater Local Foods Market
* John Richter, co-founder of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Education
* Pat Murphy, author of Plan C: Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change
* Megan Quinn Bachman, Outreach Director of Community Solutions; co-producer of The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil

For more information and to register, go to www.plancconference.org, contact Jill Hollowell at Upland Hills Ecological Awareness Center at 248-693-1021, or email info@plancconference.org. Note:
Members of an organization or activist network are encouraged to attend
as a group and receive substantial discounts for 3+ and 5+ member
groups.

Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy (APPLE) - Elgin, Illinois

While we consume fossil fuels ...

Toban Black — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 15:21:23 -0700

Andy Rowell at the Oil Change blog -
"Climate change fuelling refugee crisis" (June 17th)
... "the number of refugees is at a record high, fuelled in part by climate change which is causing conflicts around the world." ...

CBC journalism -
"Diseases, heat-related deaths likely to spike from climate change: report" (July 31st)
[via Red Jenny]

Andy Rowell at the Oil Change blog -
"Antarctica: Climate change exposes 'toxic soup'" (May 9th)
"One of the ways climate change will affect us will be in ways we do not expect. We may have climate models, but we cannot predict all the horrors that lie in store." ...

---

Andy Rowell at the Oil Change blog -
"Airline emissions 'far higher than previous estimates'" (May 6th)
... "an unpublished study by the world’s leading experts has revealed that airlines are pumping 20 per cent more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than estimates suggest" ...

Matthew McDermott at the Treehugger blog -
"It’s Not You, It’s Me: 33% of China’s CO2 Emissions From Export Manufacturing" (August 5th)
... "33% of China’s emissions come from manufacturing goods intended for overseas sale" ...
(A previous post about this - "‘Chinese’ emissions" )

CBC journalism -
"Globalization being undone by high oil costs: CIBC" (May 27th)
"The high price of energy is undercutting the advantages of globalization by raising transportation costs so much that they are forcing businesses to look closer to home, says a CIBC World Markets report." ...

---

Andy Rowell at Oil Change -
"Shell seals $4 billion Iraq deal" (September 10th)
"After a 35 year absence Shell has become the first western oil company to land a major deal with the government in Baghdad since the invasion of the country five years ago." ...
(A related post - "Imperialism and fossil fuels")

AP journalism -
"Exxon Mobil Has Biggest Profit Ever At $11.68B" (July 31st)

BBC journalism -
"Oil prices boost Shell's results" (July 31st )

Emily Murgatroyd at DeSmogBlog -
"US oil company revenue higher than the GDP of Canada" (July 31st)

======

At my blog -
A list of related links and a little commentary -
"Global warming and other energy & carbon -related crises — as well as associated interests"

Toban Black
(http://tobanblack.net/blog/?p=563)

Advocates for Local Living - ALL (Fernie, B.C.)

Local food

Toban Black — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:09:45 -0700

A community garden photo by "sbcg08"

---

A Wall Street Journal video clip about urban farming [via Wild Green Yonder]
Most of the video revolves around one guy who farms neighbourhood lawns in Colorado.

A "No Impact Man" blog post about urban rooftop farming (which definitely couldn't "save the world")
The post includes photos and some web links

A blog post from Joshua about chickens in urban backyards [via Red Jenny]
Some of the post is about legislation issues

An article by Karen Von Hahn (in The Globe & Mail) -
‘People Are Looking For Roots’
What I found interesting about this one is the author's commentary on the culture (e.g. the nostalgia) around local foods

---

A couple of related posts at my blog:
- Home-grown food
- Suburban farmland in the United States

---

Community garden photo from Groundwork Lawrence

---

Toban Black
(http://tobanblack.net/blog/?p=284)

Carp Ridge Ecowellness Centre (CREWC)

It's time to cut our ties to fossil fuels

Toban Black — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 18:26:44 -0700

Elizabeth Douglass in The Los Angeles Times - "Why The Oil Crunch May Grow Worse"
"Peak Oil: The ‘When’ Doesn’t Matter"

What I appreciate about this article is -
a. The tagline about how "The ‘When’ Doesn’t Matter" -- a message that is repeated at the end of the article (and at the end of the exerpts quoted here)
b. How the article clearly communicates the concept of world peak oil. (See the start of the exerpts below.)

---

Exerpts -

Some "dread" "that the world has found all the easy-to-reach oil, and the daily supply of the essential black goo will fall further and further behind escalating global demand."

'As much as you’re uncomfortable with today’s oil prices, these are going to be the good old days,' oil expert Robert L. Hirsch told a recent ... gathering of policymakers and environmentalists."

"'There are more and more people who believe that oil supply prospects are not very optimistic,' said Fatih Birol, chief economist at the Paris-based International Energy Agency."

"Birol counts himself among those who believe the world has reached at least 'a peak of easily accessible oil.' That alone is cause for worry, because many economies are built around the assumption that oil would continue to be cheap and plentiful.

Birol is leading a groundbreaking reassessment of the worldwide outlook for oil supplies, investment and production that many believe will deliver bad news when it is released in November.

"Tyson Slocum, director of the energy program at Public Citizen, a Washington-based consumer group, doesn’t care when the peak will come.

'We should be planning as though we’re there,' he said, 'because from a national interest standpoint, from an economic standpoint and from an environmental standpoint, our dependence on oil, whether it comes from California or Saudi Arabia, is unsustainable.'"

---

The rest of the article is OK.
It's misleading, however, when the author suggests that there isn't extensive analysis and documentation to back up concerns about impending or present world peak oil.

---

Related writing from Richard Heinberg -
Oil Price Falls! Peak Oil a Non-Problem! (July 30th)
..."The fundamental cause of the recent oil price spike has not gone away. Global demand for oil is still increasing; supply isn’t."...

---

Toban Black
(http://tobanblack.net/blog/?p=295)