What is our vision of the future?

Patrick (host), Nicola, Oliver, Polly, Janet, Pippa, Duncan, Tony, Adrienne

Will technology resolve the energy problem?
Technology will provide the solution (bright green) vs radical change to behaviour
Another (negative) vision is pop rise and economic collapse
Or – survival rather than collapse
Some say we need to be looking at planetary cooling – less than zero carbon

What do we mean by a better life?

  • Living within our means.
  • With what is possible.
  • Communities.

Local

  • Local food
  • Local livelihoods, work – economy
  • Community – sharing
  • New common sense
  • Knowledge of energy use
  • Pictures: what will Lewes High St look like
  • Bicycles
  • Urban Farm – growing food in front gardens (like in Brixton)
  • Food cooperatives
  • Dig up car parks and replace cars with food
  • More community spaces: art, ideas, skills sharing, meeting, eating etc.
  • Integrated transport
  • Take care of elderly
  • More complimentary medicine and barefoot medicine.

Lewes as an island, but need cooperation between groups

Interdependence with other communities and countries – trading and information

Sharing abundance

Energy sufficiency – even surplus What is enough (wants vs needs)?

Human scale

Spritual aspect

‘Needs’ clearing house – asking for help

Danger of conflicts – tribalism and insularity as well as benefits.

Need conflict resolution

Develop language and communication links between individuals, communities and wider

Politics: more consensus based

  • Change in response to need
  • Will have to change
  • Demonstrate what’s possible
  • Leading by example
  • ‘Work with’ in order to change

Promote solutions: positive

Involvement of media – more honest, less confrontation

More local media – report positive news

Sharing best practice

Move away from money as power

Care for each other

What is Lewes? Boundary?

Parallel economy – local currency – barter

Honour other things apart from money

Land ownership

Appropriateness of scale – multiple levels

More employment in food and health

Supporting London and other areas

Ambassadors

Rediscover mending

Carbon rationing – changing common sense

Low amount of fossil fuels = for essential use

Biofuels? Renewable energy sources

Standards of housing – all houses to have solar panels and water heating

Very high energy prices will change the economics of renewable energy

Get involved: contact one of the Group contacts on the Groups page