Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
food systems. Despite the growth of the movements and the publicity it is attracting
through slogans that envisage investments moving from 'Making A Killing to Mak-
ing a Living' its impact is still small and is still largely a U.S. movement. However
the approach does provide a parallel to at least part of the Transition Town ideas,
that of developing at least a partial re-localization of the economy.
7.4.4
Other Transition Sectors
The various Transition Town Groups have also developed a large number of other
ways in which the towns can improve their own future to increase sustainability
and build-up resistance to shocks produced by outside forces. In terms of
transport
,
efforts are made to save energy and reduce traffic flows by encouraging the greater
use of bicycles as well as car-sharing, since so many people commute out of their
area to larger centres, while some towns in Cornwall have set up eco-car rentals for
tourists to use. Local recycling efforts that help to encourage the reduction or re-use
of waste are also common. Health promotion schemes have also been prominent in
many Transition Towns, not simply by ensuring that the town has enough medical
facilities and personnel, but by publicizing the need for healthier diets through bet-
ter nutrition and life-styles. In addition, historical surveys in many British Transi-
tion Towns have been used to reveal natural hazard dangers, especially showing
areas that have been affected by floods or landslides in the past. This information is
made available in libraries and schools, to make as many people as possible aware
of the areas at risk. Other trends include enrolling more people in first aid training,
who can help if disasters occur, as well as identifying the vulnerable people at risk,
the old, very young, lonely and infirm residents who may need help in emergency
situations, issues covered more fully in Chap. 8 which deals with resiliency from
natural hazards. A focus upon the local bio-diversity also leads to evidence of the
richness of local eco-systems, as well as showing which species are under threat and
where conservation measures are needed, as well as providing ways of encourag-
ing the greater use of local walks and paths in the region. Ecological awareness in
education is seen as a key objective. It has already been noted that Transition Town
advocates stress the need to involve children in many of the social and ecological
projects, especially through hands-on practice in creating school gardens, as well as
educating children in the merits of social interaction and sharing. Increased commu-
nity support for keeping key local facilities, like schools and medical centres, also
mean that attempts to close or reduce the range of these facilities by decisions made
by distant governments can be more easily resisted. In addition, Transition Towns
have advocated for increased support for many town activities, such as donating
topics and money to the local library, developing new initiatives, such as music
festivals, and running World Cafe events with visits by local councillors to make
them more accessible to the citizens. Emphasis is also placed on the rediscovery
of old skills, from knitting to dress creation and the maintenance and re-use of old
fabrics. In some Transition Towns there are examples of the revival of older build-
ing practices, such as using local building materials to create cob houses using local
clay and wood, with straw used as insulation. Certainly these building activities
