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www.transitiontownwestkirby.org.ukwww.transitiontownwestkirby.blogspot.com

Towards a resilient local economy

A Transition Town is a community preparing itself for the inevitable changes brought about by climate

change and the end of cheap oil (peak oil).

World will struggle to meet oil demand Output from the world’s oilfields is declining faster than previously thought, the first public study of the biggest fields shows.

Without extra investment to raise production, the natural rate of output decline is 9.1 per cent, the International Energy Agency says in its World Energy Outlook, a draft of which has been obtained by the FT.

The findings suggest the world will struggle to produce enough oil to make up for steep declines in existing fields, such as those in the North Sea, Russia and Alaska, and meet long-term demand. The effort will become even more acute as prices fall and investment decisions are delayed.

Our choice…

• We’ll be transitioning to a lower energy future whether we want to or not. Far better to ride that wave rather than getting engulfed by it.

Going down….

FTSE 100

Going up…..

The mainstream view….

• Current difficulties represent a “slowdown” • The economy is “fundamentally sound”• Globalisation is irreversible• “The Government’s assessment is that the world’s oil resources are sufficient to prevent global oil production peaking in the foreseeable future.”

“Expansion becomes impossible without abundant cheap energy so I think the debt of the world is going bad. That speaks of a financial crisis unseen.”

Colin Campbell, President, Association for the study of peak oil and gas (2006)

The Transition view….• Peak oil is now (+/- 2 years)• Climate change is accelerating• Both require a fundamental redrawing of our society and our economy• Localisation is inevitable• A life with less oil can be preferable

What can individuals do?

Get to know your community

“Get thee to the non-discretionary side of the economy”

Transition initiatives…..

Reskilling

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Transition in ActionWorking Groups Formation DaySaturday, November 29th 2pm,

URC

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…”seeks to become the first Transition Authority in the UK. Agrees to undertake a review of its budgets and services to achieve a reduction in dependence on fuel oil and produce an energy descent action plan in line with the principles of the Transition Initiative. “July 2008

Somerset County Council…

What about West Kirby/Hoylake….

• Redevelopment of the Concourse, Health Centre, Fire Station and Concourse car park, including a new supermarket and multi-storey car park. • Golf resort plan for the land between West Kirby and Hoylake. • Redevelopment of the Sailing School building, including 4-5 storey hotel on the Dee Lane car park site.

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Transition vision

“…localisation stands, at best, at the limits of practical possibility, but it has the decisive argument in its favour that there will be no alternative”

David Fleming