Have only skimmed all these energy emails but had to add my bit in. Some
time ago I posted on peak oil & most of those who did reply were a bit
dismissive. That's fine - I was too when I first heard of it.

Jonathan's points reminded me that for whatever social reasons, most people
simply aren't any good at changing their ways unless others around them are
doing the same. Furthermore, it's head in the sand time because climate
change, peak oil & the potential economic and social consequences are too
great to comprehend. Yes population will fall, but some will remain and that
number will be larger the more we change our lifestyles now. And I think it
is important to explain the situation to others & let them go away, think
about it & make their own minds up. If they disagree, well, so be it.

I am currently interested in finding local groups (preferably Scotland but
UK wide too) who are trying to implement their own energy descent
programmes, local food production, cutting their own CO2 emissions, and/or
zero waste - anything which would hold them in good stead as oil prices
rise. If readers know of any, no matter how small, please let me know.

E. g. I know Woking has cut emissions dramatically & Radio 4 had a program
on recently which mentioned Chew Magna's Zero Waste work. Up here, we have a
group called Pedal-Porty (Portobello, near Edinburgh) who fought off a Tesco
(no mean feat!) and are now trying to raise funds to buy the site and build
an alternative energy centre for local education. Even if it's no more than
a community allotment & compost heap, it lets other see what can be done
without waiting for politicians to make change.

Lifestyle change has to be seen as a self-serving, future-proofing excercise
not just something weird greens do. We have to accept that most people in
industrialised countries do not understand the need to care for the planet
we live on - they are more interested in designer gear, iPods, Hello
magazine ...! But I have finally woken up to the power & importance of the
grassroots. I think it is the only way to survive whatever's coming.

all the best
Mandy Meikle
Scottish Green Party

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done.
Then they begin to hope it can be done.
Then they see it can be done.
Then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries
ago."
Frances Hodgson Burnett (c. 1910)

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Ward" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 01, 2006 9:35 AM
Subject: Re: The Way Ahead . . .


> a difficulty I find all too often is not understanding of the problem, or
> even awareness. it's acceptance and and the application of the awarness to
> indiviudals' choices. for instance, raise the issue of global warming with
> most people, they have a more than adequate understanding of where we are
> at, the seriousness of the situation and the role that they play in it.
but
> should someone interject with a story about a holiday and the conversation
> could quickly change to cheap flights without any connection being made.
>
> people know my views on flying, know me well, but will still pass on
'great
> offers' for holidays, flights etc.
>
> how do we get past this stage?