Press releases and articles
‘Transition Isle of Man gets underway’: press release, March 2008
‘Peak opportunities’: IOM Newspapers green supplement article, February 2008
‘Conversation on Transition’: press release, November 2007
PRESS RELEASE
Transition Isle of Man gets underway
The Island's recent Energy Expo saw the launch of Transition Isle of Man, a grass roots initiative whose aim is to increase the Island's self-reliance in the face of 'peak oil' – the point at which world oil production reaches its all-time peak before going into decline forever.
Agriculture Minister and Transition Isle of Man steering group member Phil Gawne MHK said, "A lot of interest was generated from the Transition Isle of Man stand at the Expo. More and more people are realising the urgent need to develop renewable energy alternatives and boost local food production in the light of rapid fossil fuel depletion. Living as we do in an Island that depends on imported oil and gas for over 99% of its energy needs and imports a lot of food too, Transition is something we need to embrace at every level as a community."
This view on renewable energy was reinforced by a report commissioned by the DTI and carried out by energy consultants Aquaterra. The report concluded that wind and tidal projects represent the best renewable energy potential for the Island.
Former Environment Minister and Transition Isle of Man steering group member John Rimington, gave the closing talk at the Expo. He said "With rapidly increasing fossil fuel prices, our first choice must be learning to use less energy whether in the home, at work or when travelling. The Island has been slow to embrace renewable energy and we are many years behind other communities. We are well endowed with renewable energy sources; both offshore and onshore wind power in particular, but also undersea tidal power, the clean burning of waste wood, bio-gas from farm waste and many other options. Surely the time for change has come."
Transition Isle of Man is part of the Transition Towns movement currently sweeping the UK. With almost 200 places from Brighton to Bristol signed up, the Isle of Man could be the first entire nation to get on board. The idea of Transition is that the community works together to find ways of ensuring its energy and food security. Examples of this might range from community-owned wind farms to the provision of allotments for everyone who wants them.
And this is far from a 'fringe' initiative. Peak oil is increasingly making headline news across the globe. Richard Branson, for example, on last week's launch of a test flight part-fuelled by coconut oil, said, "Apart from global warming, in about four or five years' time there's going to be more demand for fuel than there is fuel on this planet. So fuel prices will go through the roof, and so planes, ships, we've all got to come up with alternatives."
Transition in the Isle of Man is currently being driven forward by a group of people from all walks of life, who got together after learning about peak oil and its implications for our everyday lives. The coming months will see a range of events taking place, including film screenings, talks in schools and community meetings.
For more information or to get involved in Transition Isle of Man, call Alice on 307842 or Janet on 823253. For more on peak oil and transition: www.powerswitch.org.uk and www.transitiontowns.org.
To view and download the Aquaterra report: www.gov.im/dti/Energy/
Peak opportunities
By now, climate change is pretty much on everyone’s radar. But another buzz phrase is taking hold in the world’s media: ‘peak oil’. This deceptively mild-mannered term refers to the point at which world oil production peaks before going into irreversible decline. We’ve become accustomed to consuming more and more oil over the last 150 years. In the very near future, however, we’re going to have to get used to less and less.
As we face the other side of the production peak, not only is our own consumption of oil and other fossil fuels on the increase, demand from nations like China and India is soaring. In fact, according to oil giant Exxon, to satisfy projected global demand we would need to increase production to the tune of another four Saudi Arabias.
So why is this such a big deal? Can’t we just drive less? Of course we can – and if everyone did, it would both help combat climate change and eke out dwindling oil reserves. But oil fuels a lot more than transport. Take a look around you. Whether you’re at home or at work, chances are you’ll be hard pushed to find anything whose production hasn’t involved oil. From computers to cosmetics, furniture to food, oil is entwined with virtually every aspect of our lives.
The reality is that a whole range of different solutions is needed to meet the twin challenges of peak oil and climate change. If the right decisions are made now – from investing in renewable energy to producing more food locally – we’ll be addressing both these undeniably major issues simultaneously. Less fossil fuel used for heating equals big cuts in carbon emissions, for instance; more local produce means fewer oil-splurging food miles.
The good news is that the Isle of Man is well placed to put together some highly effective solutions. Even better, they represent some positive opportunities: for people to enjoy a better quality of life, for businesses to profit, and for the Island to have a secure future.
Some of these solutions are being put into practice across the UK thanks to the rapidly growing Transition network. ‘Transition Towns’ are communities which are building their self-reliance by devising re-localization and ‘energy descent’ plans. From the small town of Totnes in Devon to the city of Bristol, more than 175 places are on board so far.
Thanks to the hard work of Island groups like the Manx Organic Network, IOM Permaculture Association, Friends of the Earth and Zero Waste Mann, we’ve already made the first steps on our own transition journey. In terms of local produce for example, the ever-increasing number of farmers’ markets shows that good old fashioned distribution and retailing can and does work today.
When it comes to shrinking our carbon footprint, more and more of us are doing our bit, from switching off standby buttons to saying no to plastic carrier bags. And in view of the avalanche of negative publicity it’s had, many people would be surprised to learn that the MEA has reduced its carbon output by a mammoth 40% in recent years – to the point where the Island’s electricity generation is actually cleaner overall than the UK’s.
But not having the option to buy electricity generated from renewable sources is frustrating for the more environmentally-minded. Chris and Elaine Burton, who live in an old stone cottage in Port Erin, have taken matters into their own hands.
‘We believe climate change is the most important issue we all face,’ says Mr Burton. ‘The cumulative effect is so powerful, it could mean chaos and hardship for millions – including us. The irony of peak oil is that we are now running out of the very pollutant that is causing so much damage.’
Having bought their cottage more than 20 years ago, the first thing they did was install a wood-burning stove, initially to heat water. This proved so efficient that they no longer need to use their gas boiler for central heating.
Their next priority was insulation, as Mr Burton explains: ‘Insulation is key to a low carbon lifestyle. We put in double glazing, changed our floorboards downstairs for a solid concrete floor on top of polystyrene sheeting, replaced the roof and insulted the loft and ceiling voids with wool-type insulation.’
Only then did the couple install their wind generator: a six-metre-high, two-metre-diameter turbine that came as a kit. This, and a smaller vertical turbine which powers the garage, is complemented by a system of solar panels. Thanks to constantly improving technology and the Burtons’ continued investment, it’s proved a big success.
Says Mr Burton: ‘I estimate we have reduced our carbon output by 75%. And with energy costs soaring, this sort of technology is rapidly starting to look a lot more attractive from a financial point of view too. Investment in energy efficiencies now will only be a bargain for the future.’
The government grants available for domestic energy saving initiatives have recently been opened up to all householders. Whereas previously they would have been means tested, anyone wanting to install cavity wall insulation, for example, is now eligible.
Laudable individual efforts aside, there’s no getting away from the fact that the Isle of Man currently relies on imported oil and gas to meet over 99% of its energy needs. This poses a huge challenge, rising to which is going to take real will and concerted action on the part of both government and businesses.
Brian Hammond, Business Development Manager for the DTI, comments: ‘We have been working to raise awareness of the need for energy efficiency within business for the past four years. This started with a business breakfast that has now grown into the annual Energy Expo. A personal area of concern is the effect that peak oil and gas supply will have on the Island’s businesses, by substantially and continually increasing the cost of energy for the foreseeable future. This is why last year we had Colin Campbell, founder of ASPO (the Association of Peak Oil & Gas), as our keynote speaker.’
Energy Management is a joint DTI/Chamber of Commerce initiative involving the Island’s main manufacturing businesses. Having undergone a DTI-commissioned audit which showed that significant savings could be made, each company then appointed an Energy Champion. Supported by grant assistance from the DTI, the champions attended an intensive training programme. Using the knowledge they gained, they went on to implement activities that have already resulted in savings.
One of the businesses involved is Manx Engineers, a leading supplier of precision machined parts.
Director Martyn Perkins says: ‘Energy management is integral to any good business; any savings go straight on the bottom line as profit. Our energy champion Stuart Ackers has put in place some relatively straightforward energy efficiency measures and, since September 2007, we have already saved in the region of £1,200 – with carbon savings of around 4,700 kg.’
Cato Brahde is Managing Director of Tufton Oceanic, a fund management company for the maritime and energy related sectors. He also chairs the recently formed Manx arm of ASPO.
Mr Brahde says: ‘At the ASPO conference in Huston last October, there was some convincing data supporting an imminent global oil production peak. Estimates vary, but my guess is 2010 or 2011. When it does happen, it is likely to have a swift and major impact on the world’s economy.’
As he point outs, nations like America and Britain used to be major exporters of fossil fuels, but we now depend heavily on exporting nations such as Russia, Norway and Saudi Arabia. While Britain still has some reserves, this scenario raises the question of where the Isle of Man will come on the list of priorities when supplies get tight.
‘Our main energy opportunity here is wind power, a renewable resource we have plenty of,’ says Mr Brahde. ‘As well as being vital to our future energy mix, renewable power offers excellent business opportunities. For example, there is the potential for offshore finance companies to be listed as energy funds. We could also become a centre for energy expertise, as we have with shipping expertise.’
While nuclear power has been getting all the media attention lately, the UK government’s vision also includes a further 7,000 offshore wind turbines around the coast of Britain. If this goes ahead, they say it will provide enough electricity for every UK home by 2020.
If it can be done in the UK it can certainly be done in the Island. But for change in this area to happen on the scale it’s needed, we have to have a political framework that sets binding targets. And we can’t do it in isolation.
‘It is important for countries to co-ordinate their energy needs,’ says Mr Brahde. ‘For example, the Irish Government is forward-thinking on renewable energy. If we network with nearby neighbours like Ireland and the UK, it will give us greater resilience in the future.’
The signs are that Tynwald is taking the energy issue seriously. A dedicated Energy Officer, Peter Longworth, has been appointed, and we now have an energy policy working group headed by MLC Juan Turner – with the promise of a comprehensive policy in the very near future.
In line with its commitment to a 20% reduction in carbon emissions by 2010, Government is currently engaged in its own energy efficiency drive. In just one year, for example, the NSC has saved 1,100 tonnes of CO2 – around £250,000 in hard cash. To put this in context, the average householder’s annual output is around 10 tonnes.
Says Peter Longworth: ‘There is scope for lots more positive activity like this. I have been heartened by the support across government and by how keen people are to get involved. For example, a small group of government officials recently visited Barnsley to look at their award-winning biomass boilers and see whether it might be appropriate to do something similar here.’
There are, in fact, several encouraging signs out there. And with the transition movement just getting underway in the Island, this year will see a range of awareness-raising events, kicking off with film screenings at the Energy Expo this month. It’s early days, but with concerted effort at every level – individuals, businesses and Government – we have what it takes to make our energy descent a smooth ride rather than a bumpy one.
PRESS RELEASE
‘Conversation on Transition’ gets Island community talking
The evening of Monday 12 November saw around 60 people gathering at St John’s Methodist Hall for a ‘Conversation on Transition’. Introduced by Rushen MHK Phil Gawne and featuring a presentation given by John Rimington, the event was attended by a wide range of Island groups concerned with the environment, community and heritage.
Its focus was Transition, a concept born out of the Transition Towns movement currently sweeping Britain. The movement is a grass roots response to peak oil: the point at which world oil production peaks before going into irreversible decline. Although there is still debate over exactly when this will happen, the consensus of many international experts is that it is imminent.
Opening the meeting, Mr Gawne said: “Just as the challenges of peak oil will affect all of us, the solutions to it need to involve all of us – working together as one community. The Transition movement gives us a structure. But it’s down to us to find ways that will work best for our unique situation here in the Island.”
John Rimington began the slide show presentation by highlighting that oil is a finite resource, formed over millions of years and as good as exhausted in less than 200. Globally we consume around 84 million barrels of oil a day: a figure that’s set to soar with the emergence of developing nations like China and India.
The problem is not so much one of ‘running out’ of oil, more that the oil left in the ground is becoming increasingly difficult and expensive to get out. And as the National Petroleum Council report warned earlier this year: ‘Given the massive scale of the global energy system and the long lead times necessary to make significant changes, concerted actions are needed now.’
As Mr Rimington explained, fossil fuels are entwined with virtually every aspect of our lives. Electricity, water supply and medicine are just three examples of systems that rely on cheap oil and gas. Every calorie of food we consume has, on average, taken 10 calories of energy to produce. Oil is the basis for pesticides, natural gas for nitrogen fertilisers. Then there’s the fuel needed for farm machinery and food transportation around the world. That’s why the price of food is inextricably linked to the price of oil – and we’re currently seeing both rise in tandem.
The overriding message of this first half of the presentation was that doing nothing is not an option. The second half looked at what the options might be. Galvanizing communities around Britain into devising ‘energy descent’ plans and producing more food locally, the Transition Towns movement already has more than 175 places on board – from the small town of Totnes in Devon to the city of Bristol.
“Many people in the Island will be able to remember when the majority of our food came from the Island,” said Mr Rimington. “This is not the case any more. And we rely on imported oil and gas to meet around 99% of our energy needs. But we are well situated to deal with peak oil. We have a temperate climate, fertile land and an abundant renewable energy resource. And with initiatives like the Organic Action Plan and local farmers’ markets, we have already started on the transition journey.”
The rest of the evening was about the next steps on that journey. The attendees split into groups for a think tank exercise, looking at the particular problems facing the Isle of Man and potential solutions. The hall was filled with the buzz of excited conversation as people shared ideas. When the exercise came to an end, it was heartening to see that the solutions, written on countless Post-it notes, far outnumbered the problems.
Ideas included freeing up land for self-build homes, community transport, sustainable housing, natural fertilizers in farming, supporting local producers, more community woodlands, allotments for everyone who wants them, and planting fruit trees instead of ornamental trees in and around towns.
On being asked whether they felt the Isle of Man should work towards becoming a Transition Island, the gathering responded with a resounding ‘Yes!’ Next steps will see the Transition concept being taken to the community at large through a series of presentations, film screenings, talks by visiting experts and more think tanks.
It might have been a chilly night, but that wasn’t the only reason people were reluctant to leave the warmth of the hall. What will stay with those who attended was the genuine excitement over the possibilities of becoming a Transition Island. And something that perhaps many had believed was lost: a real sense of community.