I've been watching the growth of public awareness of the "triple-threat" (peak oil, global climate change, and global resource depletion) in the "public mind" for more than a decade, and decades longer for the environment. I've stopped wondering when I could shift my efforts from getting people's attention to the issues to my true goal, helping the public begin to cope with the effects in their lives.

I believe that in the northeastern United States, that time has come. As I've asked (myself and others in and around the Relocalization network) before, will we be ready to shift our focus and efforts from education about the existence of peak oil and global climate change, to activities to prepare the public for worse news and help them to mitigate the effects.

Moreover, there are events on the horizon that foretell more public concern for the environment and sustainability. The beginning of spring and fall in these parts have been reliable moments, sure to bring news of ice melting at the poles. This year is no exception. Earthweek, A Diary of the Planet, and other sources lead with headlines like "Antarctic Collapse" (www.eatrhweek.com). This year's news about regeneration of winter ice in the vicinity of the North Pole was positive for total area regenerated, but negative on ice thickness. We can reasonably expect another ice-free summer in the Northwest Passage and the polar region north of Russia.

NASA Goddard Institute reported that 2007 was tied with 1998 as the second warmest year in the last century. The 14 warmest years on record have all occurred since 1990. "The greatest warming in 2007 occurred in the Arctic and neighboring high latitude regions." "The large Arctic warm anomaly of 2007 is consistent with observations of record low geographic ectent of Arctic sea ice in September, 2007." According to James Hansen, "Barring a large volcanic eruption, a record global temperature exceeding that of 2005 (the warmest year in over a century) can be expected within the next few years, at the time of the next El Nino', because of the background warming trend attributable to continuing increases in greenhouse gases." (parens, ours)

Closer to home the price of gasoline went above $5 a gallon in parts of California, locally well above $3 a gallon, with diesel well above $4 a gallon. Newspaper and other media reports of automobile commuters and truckers feeling the squeeze, and an ominous growing trend among homeowners going broke as energy costs begin to exceed mortgage payments. Requests for certification of energy efficient new homes is at an all-time high and rising. The need for assistance from owners of existing homes is not high because many don't even know that help is available for them.

Toward that end I've stepped up my acceptance of speaking engagements and setting up my Post Carbon booth at more events. I've been so busy I've had scant time to post these on this website but a layoff at the hearth shop where I work has allowed me today to focus on doing that. See the events section for the new Friday evening video series I've been trying to launch. We've secured an excellent venue in Hatboro, PA and expect at least two more dates to finalize this week.

A project I've been working on in connection with the hearth shop has morphed into the Ivyland Foundation for Historical and Architectural Preservation (IFHAP). The original site, a nearly 4.5 acre commercial tract in Ivyland, has two historical buildings still in continuous use since the founding of Ivyland a few years before 1874. The five buildings on the site are slated to be restored and/or renovated as "green" and LEED certification will be sought, although there is interest in going "net-zero".

IFHAP has caught the interest of the new owner of a building housing a centrifuge used for the testing and training of early astronauts at the Naval Air Development Center in Warminster, also known as the Johnsville base. We are developing a charrette for creating a LEED certified renovation there with an excellent group of "green" professionals. Tomorrow we will hold the fourth tour of the facility for members of the pre-planning team.

Although we came in just after renovations began on first floor office rental spaces the remaining interior office spaces there, as well as meeting rooms, the cafeteria, and other specialized rooms are already getting a treated to non-toxic VOC paint and other healthy wall, floor, and ceiling materials and furnishings. The owner is convinced that getting the facility certified will help him attract and keep tenants, and keep energy costs for his own business manageable in a time of energy uncertainty and potential insufficiency.

The "green" renovation will also enhance the opportunity to create an aerospace museum on the site using that facility and others nearby. A partnership is being established with the Harold Pitcairne Wings of Freedom Aircraft Museum of the Delaware Valley Historic Aircraft Association at the Willow Grove Naval Air Station (NAS JRB) in nearby Horsham. A large lobby and small theatre located in the building will be used for that. Our environmental and sustainability video series will probably eventually find a home there.

As you see, we've been very busy. Our Dean of the Academy, Bill Marston AIA, LEED II, is deeply involved in steering this project in the right direction and keeping us on course for more and better successes. ill, by the ay is involved with a group in Philadelphia, Green Village Philadelphia, that's bringing in Paulo Lugari, founder of Las Gaviotas in Colombia, to Philly from May 1-4, 2008. Green Village Philadelphia is one of many reasons why Philly is regarded as one of the top ten sustainable cities by several sources. You can get further information on this at: or 215-922-2345.

I'm sure there's more I could write (not being known for brevity) but I have to have my delayed lunch and get down to Hatboro to post flyers for the new video series.

recruiting allies