Background
Transition Leicester is a local response to two hugely significant global challenges: Climate Change and Peak Oil.
Climate Change provides an overwhelming argument that we should act to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Peak Oil gives us the awareness that we will have to act to reduce our use of oil (and then other fossil fuels which will peak in production soon afterwards), whether we like it or not.
Taken together, for both pragmatic and moral reasons, these issues imply that we should look to reduce and eventually eliminate our use of fossil fuels. This will enable us both to reduce Leicester's carbon emissions and increase the resilience of Leicester's economy - enabling our city to continue to function even if fuel prices increase greatly, or if fossil fuel supplies are interrupted.
It is important to keep in mind that because of Peak Oil, there will be a great transition in our economy and way of life, no matter what we do. The important point is to start planning now for that transition, so that we can develop the skills and infrastructure we need to make the transition a wonderful experience, rather than a negative one.
Our approach to this work is inspired by Permaculture, which is a system for designing and planning action which focusses on creating sustainable systems, and identifying opportunities for positive change.