The power of positive energy
By Janet Pilbeam, April 2008
From Bristol to Biggar and even as far as Ambridge, something is spreading through Britain like a very benevolent virus. That something is the Transition Towns movement, and it has become such big news it’s now even a story line in The Archers.
World fossil fuel production is predicted to decline in the near future, which is something that will affect all of us. That’s why transition communities are working together to find ways of becoming more self-reliant in energy, food and other essentials.
Transition Isle of Man has just got underway. It’s not about waiting for Government or any other sort of fairy godmother to take care of us. It’s about making things happen ourselves, together: something that’s not only possible, but positively enjoyable.
Briefly, transition works something like this:
• A group of people concerned about energy issues and climate change gravitate together. This becomes the steering group, whose only role is to get things going.
• The first stage is raising awareness. This typically takes six months to a year, during which time working groups are formed to look at specific things like food, energy and health.
• Once enough momentum has gathered, a big public event marks the official ‘unleashing’ of the transition initiative.
We’re still at the awareness-raising stage in the Island. But that’s not to say you have to wait until the unleashing to get involved – or that plenty of transition projects aren’t already happening.
A transition project is anything that boosts our self-reliance and helps combat fossil fuel depletion (AKA ‘peak oil’) and climate change. In other words, anything that conserves energy/generates clean energy, cuts greenhouse gas emissions, and increases local production – of food for example – which in turn will save massive amounts of energy. Here are three shining examples…
The Sulby School food garden
Funded and supported by the PTA, this inspirational project is being driven by the Isle of Man Permaculture Association.
As local permaculture expert Mill Millichap explains: ‘Everything in the school’s 20 by 18-metre plot will be grown to organic and permaculture principles. It will give the children hands-on experience of growing, and the chance to enjoy fantastically fresh, food-mile-free produce.’
The plot, which is currently being prepared by the children and volunteers, includes areas for vegetables, fruit and nut trees, herbs, edible perennial plants, a composting area and a polytunnel complete with a nectarine tree and extensive salad beds.
Adds Mill: ‘The produce will be eaten in school and taken home, and if there’s enough surplus it could even be sold at the farmers’ market. The children are already so excited they’ve been persuading their parents to start growing food at home. We’re hoping Sulby will become a model for what is possible in schools across the Island.’
In the meantime, the only thing the project is short of is a 7’ x 5’ shed – if you can help, call Mill on 480882.
The Dalby community woodland scheme
This tree planting project is run by former rural sciences teacher Brian Cousins. The idea is that an individual or group commits to taking care of a tree nursery for a year and to finding homes for the trees. After a year the seedlings are planted out in communal beds, where they stay for two years before being moved to their final positions.
‘The tree nursery is a simple wooden box of a metre square containing around 300 seedlings,’ says Brian. ‘In fact, it is so compact you don’t even need a garden – it could sit outside the back door. It’s very easy to look after too, just a matter of keeping it watered and weed-free.’
Thanks to a three-year sponsorship from Isle of Man Bank, around 3,000 native deciduous trees have already been planted, some with landowners, some in people’s gardens and many in an area set aside by the Forestry Board in Kerroodhoo Plantation.
The transition possibilities are exciting. Trees provide heating fuel, building materials and food – sweet chestnuts for instance – while well managed woodland helps to combat climate change. Ultimately, an ideal scenario would be to have fertile lowland areas given over to tree planting, putting the trees within easy reach of communities.
Right now though, the scheme needs support in terms of sponsorship, places for the trees to go and volunteers to help plant them. To get involved, call Brian on 843471.
Jurby community allotments
About 15 years ago six shareholders bought 15 acres of land near Jurby. Most of this is a nature reserve, but part of it has become an organic allotment site shared between 17 plot-holders. Now into year four, the allotments are packed with wonderful produce cultivated by people who range from beginners to expert growers.
If you’re interested in taking a look at the Jurby allotments, call Mill on 480882. If enough people get in touch, an open day could be arranged for early summer, with the possibility of grow-your-own learning sessions in the future.