Joined: Feb 06, 2006 Posts: 44 Location: United States
Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 12:48 am Post subject: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
Hi, it's been a while since I've been to this site, but like most of you, I am making plans to prepare for peak oil. I doubt I would be able to do everything myself to wean myself for the most part from the oil-addicted world, so I am considering the possibility of moving to an area where people are preparing for peak oil. Are there communities that exist now that are primarily designed to conserve energy or communities that are in the process of being formed? I've heard of Agraria, but I believe that is still in the planning stages, and I've heard of another small town Willits, California that's trying to save energy, but are there any others that you know of?
Joined: May 24, 2004 Posts: 3428 Location: California, USA
Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:43 am Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
My organization is in process of doing it right now.
Region is northern California, specific location is confidential and subject to NDA unless we know someone well enough to tell them on an informal basis.
If you're interested, email me via the private message function. We can discuss details about the community & the plan at length. Phone calls are also good and often more efficient, so feel free to send me your number (land lines strongly preferred) and let me know your time zone and what time is too late at night to call (so I can call earlier).
I haven't been checking in here too often recently either, so it may take a week or more before I get in touch.
gg3 - ever meet up with Bradford on his baseball field farm? Seems like a good guy. _________________ Cogito, ergo non satis bibivi
I'm just gonna find a cash machine.
Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:08 am Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
Hello from upstate New York!
Ithaca (home of Cornell U. and Ithaca College) is one community preparing for peak oil in a big way. Check out groups like www.sustainabletompkins.org and www.preparedtompkins.org. This area of the country is a safe bet because there is likely to be plenty of water in the future. There is a viable farming community surrounding the town, with thriving farmer's markets and many organic CSAs. Ithaca has been on many "best place to live" lists, too, because of all the cultural offerings at an affordable price.
There just happens to be an ecovillage forming on 120 acreas of land in Danby (5 miles south of Ithaca), called White Hawk, named after a pure white hawk that lives on the land. The first two houses are up and more are being constructed this summer. The members are very aware of peak oil, and are building for the future. Check out www.whitehawk.org.
Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 3128 Location: Boston Suburbs
Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:10 am Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
Nasturtium wrote:
There just happens to be an ecovillage forming on 120 acreas of land in Danby (5 miles south of Ithaca), called White Hawk, named after a pure white hawk that lives on the land. The first two houses are up and more are being constructed this summer. The members are very aware of peak oil, and are building for the future. Check out www.whitehawk.org.
Ugh. Homeowners association. I don't think I could trust my fate to one even in an ecovillage.
Joined: Oct 16, 2004 Posts: 1378 Location: Appalachian Foothills of Virginia
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 10:42 am Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
mos6507 wrote:
Ugh. Homeowners association. I don't think I could trust my fate to one even in an ecovillage.
Unless you plan to 'go it alone', you'll need to collaborate with others, and that requires some sort of society structure. I didn't see covenants or restrictions, and people outright own their houses.
Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 3128 Location: Boston Suburbs
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:17 pm Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
skyemoor wrote:
Unless you plan to 'go it alone', you'll need to collaborate with others, and that requires some sort of society structure.
You have to walk before you can run. Neighbors learning to talk to eachother again would be a first step, or getting people to retrofit their homes for energy efficiency. Peer-pressuring them to share a common house and routinely cook meals for eachother is going a little too far too soon.
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:20 pm Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
mos6507 wrote:
skyemoor wrote:
Unless you plan to 'go it alone', you'll need to collaborate with others, and that requires some sort of society structure.
You have to walk before you can run. Neighbors learning to talk to eachother again would be a first step. Peer-pressuring them to share a common house and routinely cook meals for eachother is going a little too far too soon.
I am doing this now and it works fine. Collaboration is not difficult and is of great advantage to single parents, old people, and kids. I am moving from this cohousing project however because I can not stand the wind on the site.
Anyone want to buy a unit? (hope this is not seen as advertising ) _________________ ree rah rip ram. sunofabitch godamn. hidey didey christ almighty. rah rah crap
Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject: Re: Existing Peak Oil Communities?
Nasturtium wrote:
Hello from upstate New York!
Ithaca (home of Cornell U. and Ithaca College) is one community preparing for peak oil in a big way. Check out groups like www.sustainabletompkins.org and www.preparedtompkins.org. This area of the country is a safe bet because there is likely to be plenty of water in the future. ....There is a viable farming community surrounding the town...., ... thriving farmer's markets and many organic CSAs. Ithaca has been on many "best place to live" lists, too, because of all the cultural offerings at an affordable price.
There just happens to be an ecovillage forming on 120 acreas of land in Danby (5 miles south of Ithaca), called White Hawk, named after a pure white hawk that lives on the land. The first two houses are up and more are being constructed this summer. The members are very aware of peak oil, and are building for the future. Check out www.whitehawk.org.
Thanks so much Nasturtium and the others who replied to my question about transition communities in Central NY. Yes. I was very aware of the Ithaca eco-village, and I like them a lot. But in a transition mode they are far, at least I think that 140 miles is a lot.
(btw, what do you all think it is or it is not too far in a "transition" and "post-transition" era?, in terms of miles to access people and resources? ,
I am moving to the Herkimer area, South-Western edge of the Adirondacks... I guess my best hope is to have good neighbors in the most traditional sense of the word, and maybe to start introducing the idea of the upcoming transition ahead without scarying people away. Over the years I have been considered weird just because I love talking about compositing toiletes and reducing/eliminating waste and I have learned a few things about approaching people on this... althout we do not exactly have much time for this kind of work.
If I can connect with more in that area it would be great, if not, well, I have more work to do! : )
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