Chris's Forester Column, January 2010

Expectations of a 24:7, all-year-round easy mobility now define our lives; our dependence on oil-based transport systems creates genuine and wholly understandable panic when that system seems to be at or near breaking point.  At this time of year, for example, 80% of the supermarkets' carrots come from ten major packers in East Anglia, Scotland and northern England.

Thirty years ago, people travelled shorter distances to work, children generally went to schools within walking distance and less powerful supermarkets had yet to develop their 'just in time' distribution networks. The schoolteacher who travels to Coleford from Hereford, the Westbury to Birmingham commuter or the carrots from Scotland all depend on a continuing cheap oil economy. As we leave this era behind we will have to rely on much more localized food, transport and employment opportunities.

Transition Forest of Dean and Newent have set up a working party which, with the help of FODDC, will begin to develop an Energy Descent Action Plan for the district. This will provide a much needed long-term vision for low-carbon living at the end of the era of cheap oil.

Do please visit our website for details of a newly launched 'Super Insulated Newent and Villages' project, providing practical action and advice for saving money and energy.

By the way, I did get my warm socks for Christmas, thank you, and the parsnips were delicious, much improved by the cold weather. 

To comment on this article visit www.transitionnewent.org.uk