Derek Alton

Today’s world is filled with so many challenges and problems.  In 2008 the world was rocked by the worst recession since the Great Depression of the 1930’s and now in the Gulf of Mexico arguably the worst human created environmental disaster in history is underway.  There are also issues of poverty and starvation and numerous other issues worldwide.    Many of these problems are human created problems, created by our current system of doing things.  We live in a world that is dominated by what many are calling ‘an obsession with growth and over consumption.’  However, we are becoming more and more aware of the limitations of this way of doing things.  The truth is there are only so many resources that we can use and many of them are starting to run out.

There are many groups who are pushing back against this; both environmental and social.  The message they bring is one of anger and of fear.  They are talking about how we are on the brink of disaster and pointing out all our faults.  Though this may be true, it is at times like this where everything seems to be dark and in despair that a different message is needed.  We now need a message of hope and one of action; a message that will inspire people to act for change.  For what we need to do is immense.  We need to go through a transition in the way we do things.

One group that is leading the way in this transition is called the ‘Transition Town Movement.’  This movement was started in 2005 by Rob Hopkins, a permaculture professor at Kinsale Further Education College, in Ireland.  What started out as a small experiment he did with a few of his students in a town in Ireland has since spread around the world spawning transition communities in over 300 places world wide.  The city of Guelph recently became an official Transition Town last summer, the second in Canada.  Since then, with the help of people from Guelph there are now over 13 official transition groups in Canada with many more on the way.

Instead of focusing on the negatives of our current form of living, the Transition Movement says, “Well, we know we have to change so how are going to change? What steps can we take towards change?” It is a very practical approach to dealing with our present day problems, initiating local grass roots solutions.

The focus of the movement is two fold: The first step is moving away from oil dependence.  Currently our society is built on oil, everything from transportation to production, including fertilizers used for making food and plastic that is found in almost everything.  Oil however, is a non-renewable resource and will run out and likely run out soon, so it is really important to transition away from oil.  The second part is moving to a more sustainable way of living.  This means minimizing our footprint in this world and finding more organic and less consumption based ways of living.  The group looks for what steps are already being taken in the community and works to energize them and network them with groups that are doing similar work or finding other interesting partnerships.

I went to a conference on transition towns two weeks ago, and one thing I quickly noticed was the group was not your usual crowd of what a friend of mine likes to call “crazy hippies.”  The conference attendees included students, teachers, farmers, business people, town councilors, retirees and a computer programmer.  This group symbolizes the change our world has to make.  A change that is action focused and built on a diverse community of participants with a passion for making a difference. 

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. -Margaret Mead

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