Dear Post Carbon Group Coordinators,

We now have 88 Local Post Carbon Groups in 9 countries in the Relocalization Network, with our newest member group in Yemen!

Our major goals for 2006 include:

1. re-designing the website so that the structure and information is more streamlined and user-friendly;
2. developing more resources, toolkits and information for the groups, which will be posted on the website; and
3. increasing the lines of communication between the Relocalization Network Coordinators and the Post Carbon Groups and between members within the network.

The end goal is to create a network that inspires people to use the available communication and information tools and that increases the capacity of local groups to take action. We also aim to facilitate more documentation and posting of comments, experiences, and knowledge on the website, in order to further the development of a strong support network for all Local Post Carbon Groups.

New Relocalization Network Coordinator

We would like to introduce our new Relocalization Network Coordinator, Sarah Smith, and welcome her to our team. Sarah is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, with an Arts degree, majoring in Music. She was the Chair of the Student Environment Centre (www.ubcsec.ca), and helped organize various programs and projects, including the 2005 Sustainability Conference in conjunction with the Sierra Youth Coalition. Sarah will be working to provide support for new and existing groups in the Relocalization Network. We are very excited to have her on board. If you have any questions or would like to contact her, she can be reached by email.

Earth Day Toolkit

We are currently working on putting together an educational resource toolkit, which will be available before Earth Day to help groups prepare for your groups activities. It will include one-page handouts on various relocalization projects and strategies, information about the Relocalization Network and Post Carbon Institute and fact sheets on Peak Oil and the ramifications of our over-reliance on cheap energy. Please contact Sarah, if you would like to be notified when the toolkits are ready.

Post Carbon Store

Post Carbon Institute is currently in the process of applying for charitable tax exempt [501(c)3] status in the United States. In reviewing our application, the IRS has requested that Post Carbon Institute refrain from selling most of its previously available products. A decision has not yet been made on our 501(c)3 application or the future of our full range of products but it is hoped there will be an update soon. The good news is that the very popular Oil Age Poster is still available for purchase through the online store (store.postcarbon.org), and donations can still be made to Post Carbon Institute online.

Energy Farm Demonstration Project

The Post Carbon Institute has recently initiated an Energy Farm Demonstration Project in collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Food Systems at UBC Farm. We will be working on up to two acres of UBC Farm land to test different energy crops, refine harvesting and processing techniques. The projected breakdown of the land is 60-30-10 (compost crops, energy crops, food crops). The project will evaluate varied sources of alternative energy, possibly including solar, wind and biogas. It will also look at how all of these technologies work together to supply reliable energy.

NYC Conference

Peak Oil New York is co-sponsoring the Local Solutions to the Energy Dilemma Conference in April 2006. The event will feature regional experts in economic localization, sustainable food systems, alternative transportation, and responsible financial management will share their insights into the evolution of a low-energy, sustainable society. Conference registration materials and schedule are available at http://www.energysolutionsconference.org.

Featured Local Post Carbon Group on Television

This past month members of APPLE (Alliance for a Post Petroleum Local Economy), a Local Post Carbon Group in Nevada County, California launched a Peak Oil television show entitled, "Peak Moment: Community Responses to a Changing Energy Future". The show is a weekly half-hour program featuring energy news, followed by conversations about local food, energy, transportation, preparedness, economics and other responses to the challenges of Peak Oil. The show is hosted by Janaia Donaldson, directed by Robyn Mallgren, and produced by Yuba Gals Independent Media for APPLE. This team is also producing *Peak Moment Special Editions*, featuring speaker presentations, farm tours, human-powered vehicles and more.

Currently, Peak Moment airs on a local community access television station in western Nevada county (California). Episodes will be available online beginning in April at http://video.google.com (type in "Peak Moment.") The group is looking to distribute the show to other communities and to include interviews and footage not only from their region but also from other groups focused on Relocalization.

Sarah will be onboard full time to provide support for local groups in the Relocalization Network. For the next couple of months, Shelby will be in the office Monday afternoons, and will be available by email between those times. If you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to call or email us.


All the best,


Shelby & Sarah


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Shelby Tay & Sarah Smith
Relocalization Network Coordinators
Post Carbon Institute
Tel. 1 + 604.736.9000 Contact Us863 West 4th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 1P2, Canada
www.postcarbon.org
www.globalpublicmedia.com