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A more sustainable communitySociety must move away from the unsustainable carbon economy, we are damaging the atmosphere, the oceans and the environment.Personal self-sufficiency is neither desirable nor practicable, but greater self-sufficiency and sustainability in a local community has huge environmental and economical advantages, and is eminently achievable. This page is particularly aimed at the Clare Valley of South Australia. Slowing climate change needs big changes starting now.This Internet page is an apeal to move toward the Transition Towns concept. "If we wait for government to make the changes we need it will be too little too late, if we make changes at a personal level it will be too little, but if we make changes at a community level it just might be enough."
This page created 2009/03/30, last edited 2024/02/08 |
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Possible actions at the local level
Community self-sufficiencyIn early 2007 a group calling itself the Sustainable Living Network was established in Clare. The aims of the SLN are compatible with a self-sufficient community. There is a page on the site of the SLN, Living sustainably in the Clare region that is particularly relevant to the subject of this page.Perhaps the rise in 'country markets' (or 'farmers markets') is a step toward greater community self-sufficiency. There are monthly country/farmer's markets in the Clare Valley at:
Not only will an increased level of community self-sufficiency insulate the local people to some extent from the worst effects of a possible economic down-turn or depression, but it will also increase the interactivity and cohesiveness of the Clare region's society. Companion travelI had thought about this several times – and there was something in Perth many years ago specifically for crossing the Nullarbor – but when a neighbour told me that it is in use in Germany I decided to try to get something going in Clare.The idea is simple; if you are going somewhere and you are able to take a passenger you add a note to a notice board. If someone else wants a lift to the same place on that day, he/she can contact you and get a lift. How the costs of travel are shared is entirely up the driver and passenger to decide, but typically the passenger would at least pay something toward the cost of the fuel used in the journey. In Clare it could be particularly useful for travel to Adelaide. How many of us go with room for another in our cars? It is much more environmentally responsible, and cheaper as well, for two or three people to go in one car than for each to go in their own car. Community gardenAgain, this idea is not original, it has been successfully used elsewhere.An area of land, say a hectare, is set aside somewhere in the town and then is available for people to plant their own little garden. It can be used by those who don't have room for a garden, or for those who would like to combine some gardening with some socialising.
It can be therapeutic, educational, and produce food or flowers at the
same time.
Walking school busInstead of parents driving kids to school they walk groups of kids to school. It reduces car accidents, road congestion and greenhouse gasses, saves money, and improves everybody's physical fitness. Driving cars burns petroleum that is becoming more and more scarce, and produces greenhouse carbon dioxide.Parents could form rosters, or take turns, or some parents might prefer to pay others a small fee – perhaps equal to what they would save on the cost of running their car. The recommended number of adults per child seems to be between one adult for three 4 to 6 year olds and one adult for six older children. For more information see Walking School Bus. Transition TownsThe following is extracted from the Transition Towns Primer, which can be downloaded via the Transition Towns site.
It all sounds good to me. I'd love to see this adopted by the Clare community; if you agree and want to help work toward it, please contact me; my email address is near the top of this page. |
LinksExternal links45 Sustainability Resources You Need to KnowGuide to cheap green living, by Michael Tarnez and Jeff Wilson. Field guide to renewable energy by Robert Ferry and Elizabeth Monian |