Energy Descent Action Plan Open Space
'Planning Lewes's Energy Descent Pathway: What steps do we need to take?'
The first open space day of our autumn programme saw over thirty people gather together to explore and discuss, work together and take forward Lewes's energy descent pathway. Lewes is one of the first towns in the world to plan and take action in this way!
Adrienne was hosting, Zoe was facilitating and Patrick and Kristina were Zoe's apprentices. We set up a large circle of chairs in the middle of the hall at Southover school, and several other smaller circles of chairs in the hall and outside in the playground for the discussion groups.
We had a welcome table, a table with the few examples of energy descent plans that exist up to now, a 'news room' where the information was to be typed up (this happened later however because everyone wanted to take part!), a table for lunch (made by Adrienne) and tea, coffee, water and cake. We also had the film crew, Stories for Change, who are making a documentary about transition towns.
We started by Zoe introducing everyone to open space: the principles and how to do it. We would begin by writing what we would like to hold a discussion about and posting it up onto the 'matrix' (our timetable).
We would then choose which discussion we would like to take part in, if any (you could also be a 'bumblebee' buzzing from one discussion to another or a 'butterfly' perching on the side).
Then the discussions began...
What is our vision of the future?
What is a plan? How do we transform the conversation?
Permaculture thinking – is it useful to the process? If so how can we use it?
How do we measure our reduction in energy use?
Who needs to be involved? How do we engage experts?
Communicating with Lewes population
Wind energy on the South Downs
How can cycling help in reducing energy use?
Bringing energy descent into newbuild
After the plan – how to make it happen?
How do we convince our local politicians that energy descent is a necessity??
How do we manage change of this magnitude personally/emotionally, building resilience?
Funding for TTL where can we get money from to move things forward?
Forming a group to take this further
At the end of the day...
At the end of the day, we got together in one large circle again and shared what had inspired us and our next steps.
What I have been inspired to do...
Closing remarks by Zoe and Adrienne
Full report coming soon... Monday we hope!
Get involved: contact hello [at] TransitionTownLewes.org.uk
