[Resources] Connect with Peakers

gg3

Hi Davage-

Navy, cool; my friend is in the Army; presently on 2nd tour of duty in Iraq (what else is new?:-). Linguist: yeah, very interesting; given that this is a public place I should leave it at that for now. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if at least one foreign hostile wasn't hanging out here & collecting; probably more than one; and high probability that Iran is in the mix here too.

I fully understand about the line between military and civilian roles; and the historic context and all. What I had in mind was more like this: my friend started getting people on base to recycle, and started up a collection of bicycles for public use by anyone on base (similar to something that was done in Holland about 30 years ago). Just a few small positive steps to get people thinking & doing, without any reference to political or policy issues. Though, one could also take a hint from the C-in-C's State of the Union Address item last night about "getting over our addiction to foreign oil," and use that as a basis for discussion with other sailors: steps people can take to reduce petroleum consumption at home, that kind of thing; posting news items about high-efficiency automobiles, nuclear and wind power development, new research in solar photovoltaic materials, etc.

Back in WW2, there was a huge conservation push. Including things such as a poster showing someone driving alone in a car, with a ghost-image of Hitler sitting in the passenger seat, and the headline, "When you ride alone, you ride with Hitler," to encourage people to save fuel by car pooling. A few years ago someone published a book with a bunch of those WW2 era posters revised to the present circumstances, and that one was re-done with Osama in the passenger seat and the headline "When you ride alone, you ride with Bin Laden," which was also the title of the book. (After 9/11 I did a few of my own similar posters, among other things, one that shows someone putting gas in their tank, and the headline says, "And a few cents for Al Qaeda. Where did you think they got their money from...?")

So it surprises me that conservation wasn't the first item on the agenda after 9/11, given the obvious connection between oil money and funding for our enemies. However, apparently as of last night, it's now on the policy agenda. I have my criticisms for the present Administration on other issues, but the move toward a serious energy policy is a good thing; as with Nixon and China (an avowed anticommunist opening the doors to normal relations with a large communist country), it might take a Texas oil man to make a serious push for energy independence and conversion to non-petroleum energy sources.

The 21st century is going to make science fiction look tame:-)

Roy

New resident of Western NC checking in. Just relocated from LA in the wake of Katrina/Rita.

We're currently looking for the right property that would enable us to become more self-sufficient.

This area sure has some advantages over Louisiana by my way of thinking.

We're still looking. I noticed two other posters from this area. But no meetup groups on the website linked though.

Roy

hunter · Tar Sands Joined: Sep 22, 2005 Posts: 24

I'm currently located in Toronto Ontario.. planning to buy land and start buying a homestead sometime during this year... gotta find just the right place.. feel free to PM me if your in the area.

Davage · Tar Sands Joined: Jan 29, 2006 Posts: 23

Doly, climate change could make food worse, but if it is a factor that makes a sudden appearence as soon as PO (I am doubtful), then it'll propbably just make food more scarce. I'm more worried about costs to fertilize and transport said food. People might suppliment their food with gardens, but how much can you grow in the suburbs? In the inner cities?

As for the skill sets, yes, it is likely other people will have those skills too, but not getting them won't help you any. And if your going to invest money somewhere.... *shrug*

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Romanko, strider,

The Post Carbon Institute is trying to organize people to relocalize, and leave it up to them to decide how to manage their eco-village, commune, or whathaveyou. I'm not big on such concepts myself (I'd prefer a more normal/traditional village myself), but they have a good point about relocalizing with others.

As you (strider) pointed out, should the doomers turn out to be right, defense could be a problem. But thats not just because of proximity to an urban area. Question is, how long can you stay awake at night? How long can you watch your garden.

A larger community (they suggest 10-100 families) will have more watchstanders. Ask anyone in the military, that makes good sense. A larger community will also have a larger skillset, more specalists. Thats quality of life right there. Something to think about.

Rob_0126 · Tar Sands Joined: Mar 25, 2006 Posts: 81

South GA

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3521 Location: Maine

I suggested to some young people I met that they start to integrate themselves into a community that already exists. Like a small town somewhere in a rural area. Here in Northern New England there are lots of tight small communities that already exist. They are usually clustered around waterpower. Find a house in the town and get a woodlot outside of town. You have advantages. The lights may stay on because the waterpower is still there, and could be supplemented by solar on individual houses. The place is defensible. You may have to post sentries on the main routes into town, but everybody knows everybody, and there are enough busybodies in a small town that nobody would slip by unnoticed.

Balthasar · Coal Joined: Apr 08, 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Baltimore, MD

I live in Baltimore, MD...

Sadly, this seems to be one of the worst places on earth in regards to awareness of PO. AND I'm only 19. *sigh*

anneliese-nyc · Tar Sands Joined: Feb 21, 2006 Posts: 59

Go to meetup.com and enter "peak oil". You may be pleasantly surprised to already find a group in whaterever area you are in .

Katchka · Coal Joined: Apr 14, 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Canada

Hi. I'm in Calgary for now but planning a move to the country this summer. Nobody I know is talking about Peak Oil (probably 'cause I'm in oil-rich Alberta) and they all think I'm nuts for wanting to leave the city.

I'm a single mom, moving out with 2 teenage sons probably to the Quesnel area of British Columbia. In some ways I feel I've been preparing for this my whole life -- always had a feeling that this couldn't last, if you know what I mean.

I'm hoping to find about 5 acres of land with a house, stream, etc. I'm quite handy with a lot of things -- gardening, putting food away, fixing things, sewing, knitting, recycling, salvage, as are my sons.

I see it as a place of refuge, sustainability and also as a place for other friends, family to come to when the SHTF -- if they can make it.

I would love to meet other Peakers in the Quesnel area. A little scary going on our own but I'm ready.

Wirbelwind · Coal Joined: Apr 19, 2006 Posts: 9

My name is Steven. I'm 24 and live in West Melbourne, VIC Australia.

I moved to Melbourne from a small country town on the south west coast. After becoming PO aware I intend to move back there either at the end of this year or early 2007. Depending on the speed that events move...

I would really like to get into contact with other PO aware people in the Melbourne/VIC region. I need to start some planning and exchange some ideas with other 'locals'.

I am trying to scout for locations that would be ideal for a post peak lifestyle but am not sure what factors I should be looking for. Obviously I should be taking into account rain fall, soil, temperature, water etc...

Anyway would love to hear from anyone!

Kind regards

Steven

Aimrehtopyh

Brainerd, Minnesota U.S.A. here. PM me, maybe we can go have coffee.
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"He who makes no mistakes isn't trying hard enough" Genghis Khan
"Everyone here is bribed not to kill each other." foodnotlawns
Coinflation.com

azreal60

I'm sure I posted a long time ago on this, but let me update.

Verona Wisconsin USA ( pretty much Madison)

I've been on peakoil action hiatus for some time. Everytime I try to do something with politics or learning skills or something it blows up on me, mostly because my life got hugely busy starting a family. But I think I have figured out the trick to it. I'm simply going to have to drag my family along. So when I start my garden this summer, my daughter will come outside with me. I've come to the conclusion I really need to buckle down on this, because I really could be shooting my own family in the foot if I don't.

Oh, anyone who wants to stop by, I've already got visiters on the way sometime this summer. I'll be available during the day to show people around madison and hopefully show off my not yet built garden. (hoping it's built by then)

azreal60@yahoo.com reachable...
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Azreal60

WisJim

I posted this in another forum a few days ago, but this would be a good opportunity to connect:

There are workshops at the Energy Fair relating to various kinds of energy generation and technology. The fair is June 23 through 25, 2006, near Custer, WI, which is a few miles east of Stevens Point, WI, near the center of the state. The fair workshop schedule and info on workshops are now available on-line:
http://www.the-mrea.org/energy_fair.php

I'll be there--only missed the first year of the fair because we were moving then--and I am sure that I will be learning a lot from the venders and workshops, and from the folks that I meet every year. Well worth a day or two on the road to get to the fair. If you can't make it to this one, which is the biggest and oldest in the world, check the Home Power website and see if there is something similar closer to you. http://www.homepower.com/events/#NATIONAL

Get out there and look at wind generators, PV panels, biodiesel plants, etc., first hand and talk to folks that are working with them.

azreal60

Damn it, I keep forgetting to go to the MREA. I hate my memory sometimes. Afterall, it's only the event that actually got me involved in all this. Ok, I'm requesting off today. Peakers, it's time alot of us got together. If your going to make a trip this summer, make one that actually is worth making. I'll host as many people as I can, and I'm sure carpooling will definately be in effect as well. Oh, and I happen to know the campgrounds are excellent.
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Azreal60