Heart and Soul

The International Transition Initiative is based on responding to the challenges of peak and diminishing oil reserves and climate change at three levels – head, heart and hands.

The Armidale Heart and Soul Group, focusing on the heart aspect of the transition, was convened on 28 April 2009.

The role of the group is to explore the psychological, spiritual and consciousness aspects of the transition and to find ways to support and inspire the transition initiative as it moves towards a resilient low carbon future.

The Heart and Soul group recognises that before we can make the practical changes that are needed we need to make an internal transition and accept that the future will look very different from the present.

Some of the areas that the group sees as central to the transition process include:

  • connection (with spirit, with feelings, between individuals, between groups, within communities, with nature and the earth, with the wisdom of the elders and with the future)
  • inclusiveness
  • communication;
  • vision, creativity and celebration;
  • replenishment and nourishment of the energy and inspiration of ourselves and others
  • identifying, understanding and making available to the wider group skills that might be helpful, such as meditation, mediation, mentoring, communication, distress tolerance
  • development of will, persistence and commitment

We look forward to hearing from others who are interested in being part of this group, which plans to meet on a monthly basis (dates to be advised). Contact us via sla.convenors[AT]gmail.com.

Visioning

These are some of the visions for Armidale developed so far through workshops:

Population: • Aim for population maximum of 25,000 with balanced demographic spread (ie unlimited growth is not promoted). Council: • We have a proactive council • More kerb side native vegetation • A council that does not think population growth is wonderful • Council declared Armidale a sustainable friendly town CBD: • Pedestrians only in the CBD • No cars within five blocks of CBD • Attractive and peaceful – a place people want to be • Wheel chair, pram and trolley friendly • Food is delivered free for elderly and disabled • The community’s greenhouse emissions are publicly displayed Community: • Youth are involved in community work • There is a good youth community centre • All ages participate in community activities and decision making • Consumer awareness has increased – re: embodied energy, transport distance, labour conditions in production, and so on. • Overall beauty of our environment and the arts emphasised to support our spiritual life • Walks protected from development • There are more walks around the city • The elderly have extensive program in arts & physical activities to promote well-being. • Senior population skills, wisdom and knowledge are used (ie they are drawn into community) Justice: • Symbolic sculpture or park acknowledges the history of local indigenous groups, which includes their dispossession by the invasion of Europeans. • Sustainable eco-village for offenders to learn new skills • Expanded circle sentencing • Aboriginal languages taught in schools Education: • School gardens grow and cook healthy food ( See Stephanie Alexander plan in Victoria) • Practical skill development related to sustainable living (including adult education) Seed saving in schools • Effective curriculum on the environment/sustainability for young and old • The community is drawn into the schools and young people into the community Gardens: • There are community gardens / market gardens • There is a community woodlot? (debate on this one) • Lakes in the creekland with trees and gardens, sculptures and flowers. • Use permaculture principles as much as possible in the made environments Building code: • Nothing under 8 stars, ie there is a serious sustainable building code (for new and existing buildings) This pertains to commercial and government properties, as well as homes. • Buildings insulated, north facing, with rain water tanks, insulating curtains, double glazed windows, natural summer ventilation…. • Solar active and solar passive design, including retrofitting • No wood smoke • All buildings will have water collecting roofs Energy: • Armidale is carbon neutral and self sufficient in electricity generation • Armidale is a leader in research and pursuit of natural energy • Energy conservation, consumption has decreased markedly • Solar hot water throughout town • Solar power on public buildings • Solar panels subsidised so many homes are grid connect or off grid • Armidale is a leader in energy production, such as thermal, wind and experimental solar Transport: • Walking and cycling are promoted • There is a bike plan and a bike network – this is a cycle friendly town. • All new developments have bike paths Kids walk or cycle to school or catch a biodiesel bus • Buses now vary in size, routes and frequency. They are electric and have bike racks • The rail track to Brisbane has been reopened; all tracks have been up graded so trains can travel faster and more safely. • There is vastly increased rail freight. • Trains times permit people to commute to Tamworth • Car use has vastly diminished, with smaller cars that run on non-polluting fuel (eg electric charged by solar) • Traffic Education Centre is open • There is drastically reduced plane travel • There is a tax on large and on inefficient cars (possibly through a fuel tax) Business: • There are more local goods available and more local ownership, with active community support • There are more local, clean, light industries • Armidale is a world centre for hemp production and associated light industry • Employment is diversified through fostering more sustainable agriculture & light industry Water: • Water resources are managed sustainably • Sewerage treatment has expanded and is more efficient and self sustaining • Water usage is reduced; collection & recycling increased and fewer chemicals are used in our homes Overall environment: • Environment is retained as much as possible in its natural state • Remnants of our tablelands environment treasured • No visual pollution, eg from signage • No plastic bags • All subdivisions have parks and green space • Remnant vegetation is linked-up • National and urban parks are free of weeds, with no feral animals Agriculture: • Sustainable agricultural practices have spread throughout the region • Armidale is a centre for organic food Communication: • The whole town is wired for fast internet service • Telecommunication systems are in place that enable sustainable living by diminishing travel • Access to the internet is readily available to all