Earth Matters: Jefferson County joins 'Transition' movement

Posted

This Earth Day, Local 20/20 is celebrating its official recognition as Washington state’s 11th Transition Initiative.

“Transition?” you might wonder. “From what? To what?”

Glad you asked. This is about making the transition from “the era of cheap oil,” to a future dependent on conservation, a thriving local economy, locally produced food and building materials, sustainable transportation choices and renewable energy alternatives.

We’re in the early stages of what ecologist Joanna Macy calls “The Great Turning” –  “the essential adventure of our time: the shift from the industrial growth society to a life-sustaining civilization.”

“Adventure?” you might mutter. “Sounds kind of scary to me.”

Indeed, it requires a paradigm shift of the tallest order to see the coming changes as opportunities rather than threats.

There’s no going back to “the way things were.” But take heart. Many of us in Jefferson County are already working on collectively shaping the future we want to see. That’s why we’re joining 425 other communities around the globe in this movement to increase local self-reliance and resilience.

The Transition Movement represents one of the most promising ways of engaging people and communities to take the far-reaching actions that are required to mitigate the effects of peak oil, climate change and economic instability.

Transition Initiatives, designed to achieve re-localization at the community level, are also designed to result in a life that is more fulfilling, more socially connected and more equitable than the one we have today.

While we’re joining a widespread movement with momentum – Jefferson County’s Transition Initiative is No. 111 in the nation and No. 416 in the world. We’re not exactly newcomers. In 2006, the same year that the first Transition Town was launched in England, grassroots organizers here formed Local 20/20. The mission statement developed then still guides the group today: working together toward local sustainability by integrating economy, ecology and community via action and education.

Both education and opportunities for action can be found this Saturday, April 21, at our local Earth Day 2012 celebration.

Learn more about Transition and Local 20/20 at a public presentation from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in the upstairs of the Port Townsend Community Center. (Childcare is provided downstairs.) See the calendar of events for other opportunities to learn about this movement.

A successful transition for Jefferson County will depend on individuals who possess a strong sense of place, a belief in local empowerment, and a shared optimism for a better future.

Does that sound like you? Join us!

Shelly Randall is a freelance writer, editor and publicist who volunteers on Local 20/20’s steering committee, is helping to organize Jefferson County’s Earth Day 2012 celebration, and blogs at SustainableTogether.com.