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Culture Change Letter # 137 Ecovillages and isotherms Jan Lundberg Teaser:

The urgent need to slash today's extreme consumption of fossil fuels is not a numbers game, nor is it a matter of degree. Rather, it is a matter of reduction in kind. We cannot break our hyper-addiction to our fossil-fueled economy of hyper-consumption incrementally, or gradually, or by means of some pain-free twelve-step program. We have to go cold turkey wherever we can. Right now.

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CUTTING OUT FOSSIL FUELS BY BUILDING COMMUNITY by Jan Lundberg

Culture Change Letter # 137 Ecovillages and isotherms
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The urgent need to slash today's extreme consumption of fossil fuels is not a numbers game, nor is it a matter of degree. Rather, it is a matter of reduction in kind. We cannot break our hyper-addiction to our fossil-fueled economy of hyper-consumption incrementally, or gradually, or by means of some pain-free twelve-step program. We have to go cold turkey wherever we can. Right now. We have to begin by taking a good hard look at every single thing we do - at every single thing we have, at every single thing we want. Then we have to start the hard job of cutting out every single thing we can do without. This approach is in direct contrast to seeking energy efficiency, which often represents only a small reduction of waste while continuing to live altogether unsustainably. Efficiency is an illusion:
short-term reductions in per capita energy can stall. And if the population and economy grow, then any reductions are cancelled out. Efficiency is the false promise that we can continue our unsustainable ways if we're only just a bit nicer about raping the planet. The pro-industry, Me Consumer First ethic tells us, "We must keep burning fossil fuels, although perhaps more efficiently for as long as we have the current crisis." This disregards the science of global warming and the reality of rapidly dwindling fossil fuels. True, we are caught in our own trap of depending on cars, electric appliances, petrochemicals for food and medicine, and other conversion of crude oil and natural gas to products that either go into the air, water, our bodies, and the landfill. The entropic, toxic effects of this conversion results in the vicious circle of heat waves and forest fires that raise global temperatures. In turn, these extreme
weather events cause greater heat waves and fires. Today, with a record hot year shaping up again, and heat waves causing power outages that can kill many thousands of vulnerable consumers, peak consumption has met peak extraction of petroleum. So the supply crisis is an ongoing one; it will only get much worse. Anyone can see that there is no planning going on for petrocollapse, and the substitute fuels don't make the grade on the scale necessary. The government and the corporations know this, so now we are witnessing the last of major profit taking before the great unraveling and crash. While individual responsibility to slash fossil fuel use is workable, a more efficient and socially enforcing way is to band together to cut energy waste and share resources and skills. There already exist bands, affinity groups and other organizations and institutions of all sizes to take on the fossil fuel challenge, but many of these are
compromised, corrupted, and out of touch with reality if they subscribe to mainstream corporate values. In any case, a new or established group can try the following changes through decisions: - In the event of a crisis in supply or heat wave, have a work holiday: don’t commute. Follow this for the entire duration of heat waves or cold snaps, so that people can take a break to think, communicate and plan. - Neighbors and local people can walk or bicycle to pre-selected town hall locations to form Citizen Petroleum Councils and explore other projects. - Keep cool without air conditioning by using solar-powered electric fans, and hope that the dwelling you are in is protected by shade trees. Take a cold shower which cools the body and saves fossil fuels. - Except for the fan in extremely hot circumstances, don't plug in or use machines and appliances. One can get used to not having air conditioning. - Eliminate
electronic entertainment by picking up a book, an acoustic instrument, or just talk to someone. The internet, however, can prove to be critical for communications and obtaining information for sustainability. - To start meeting future needs, save seeds and plant a garden. Thus, long-distance food production is sharply minimized. Meanwhile, buy local produce and refrain from buying foods out of season. Cut down on packaging; buy in bulk. When the weather is cool enough, dig up the lawn and depave the driveway to create space for gardening, a la Victory Gardens of World War II. [to read remainder of this report, go to http://culturechange.org/cms/index.php?optionfiltered=com_content&task=v... - make sure all the address is pasted into browser.] * * * * * To assist Culture Change's work, make a donation online today via PayPal (secure) by visiting
target=_blank>http://www.culturechange.org/funding.htm>. Or send a donation to: CULTURE CHANGE P.O. Box 4347 Arcata, CA 95518 USA http://www.culturechange.org> Email: Telephone and fax: 1-215-243-3144 Thank you. If you need a speaker for an energy-related conference, Jan Lundberg may be available. Please contact him at jan@culturechange.org or telephone 1-215-243-3144.

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