How to Start Your Own Transition Town
Transition towns are ‘resilient towns’, designed to be run independently, so if the oil ran out (or became too expensive), people could still their lives pretty much the same way as now. Oil (made from the skeletons of creatures under the sea) is due to run out in a few decades.
There is still plenty left, but extracting it causes harm to the planet and marine creatures, fossil fuels are mostly responsible for the climate crisis, and nearly all countries at war are oil-rich.
For sharing food, read up on food safety for people and pets.
Use no-dig gardening (and avoid netting) to protect wildlife. Read our posts on pet-safe gardens and wildlife-friendly gardens. Also read how to help stop birds flying into windows. And trees to avoid near horses (including yew, oak and sycamore).
The movement was co-founded by permaculture teacher Rob Hopkins after he heard how the then-Prime Minister said we were ‘weeks away from no food’ due to lorry strikes. This was because supermarkets store food (often imported by air = oil) in central distribution houses (with fridges powered by oil).
And then food is trundled down motorways in lorries (petrol=oil) to reach supermarket shelves. Even some ‘local foods’ go through all this journey, to return within a few miles of where it was grown. And most supermarkets sell factory-farmed meat (again powered by oil).
The idea of a Transition Town is simply empowerment and independence. The first one was launched in Totnes (Devon) quickly followed by others in Richmond-upon-Thames (Surrey) and Hebden Bridge (Yorkshire). Each one is self-sufficient and people simply swap ideas.
The idea is that the town can grow and sell its own food, support local shops (that don’t need oil to transport local food) and even schools have community solar panels to power the whole village (selling leftover energy back to the grid, to give local people free power). Other ideas from this now-worldwide movement include:
- Grow local free food for anyone (including trees for fruit/nuts)
- Locally-owned indie cinemas and shops
- Starting up local currencies
- Discount schemes for local indie shops
- Sharing schemes (tools, books etc)
Might it be that creating vibrant local economies with increased community ownership, meeting practical needs from as nearby as possible (and living well while consuming far less energy could actually better meet our needs? Rob Hopkins
Install a Community Solar Panel
One very popular idea for Transition Towns (considering they wish to be oil-independent) is to install a community solar panel. You’ve likely heard that if you put a solar panel on your house, it’s not really worth it as you won’t get money back for 20 years.
But if a village puts a solar panel on say a school or other large building, the money comes back very quick, and then excess money sold to the grid can be used to pay all the energy bills. In simple terms – you don’t pay any energy bills!
And considering the huge issues we have right now with people choosing between heating and eating, this is one of the best ways to kick-start your Transition Town, that will prove popular with all your community.
Solar power is the large energy resource that isn’t owned yet. Nobody taxes the sun yet. Bonnie Rait
Inspiring Transition Town Ideas
- In Totnes (Devon), people who enjoy a meal in the town give money to the cafe and this is given to the local rough sleeper shelter and emergency food bank, to help homeless residents.
- In Europe, cities build raised beds and grow fruits and vegetables, to provide locally-grown jam or chutney for residents.
- Many towns create their own local currencies, which work a bit like gift vouchers. In use in Lewes (Sussex) and Brixton (London), the bank notes are beautifully designed with security watermarks (the latter has a way to pay by text at markets in local currencies). You collect them and then get change back in sterling.
- Many towns and cities across the world install Repair Cafes, using knowledgeable skills to save people buying other new items. It’s pretty cool to get top engineers who volunteer and fix things – one recipient was amazed when someone quite famous fixed their electric shaver!
- Farmers’ markets are often set up, to promote local food (needs no oil to transport via lorries). In London, there are many Transition markets overflowing with breads and cupcakes galore!
- In Luxembourg, three friends started a community supported agriculture scheme (where farmers are paid in advance to grow food) and were offered a beautiful site overlooking the city, and were growing and delivering weekly boxes of vegetables within months.
Totnes, Devon (the world’s first Transition Town)
Totnes is a quirky inland town in South Devon, with its own castle. It’s the world’s first Transition Town (this means locals get together to create somewhere that is not affected by oil prices). Think community solar panels, local food and garden swaps, walkable communities etc.
You won’t find chain store coffee shops, it’s full of over 100 independent shops and even a ‘green supermarket’ (there is one large supermarket, so we won’t go there!)
A few years ago, Costa Coffee gained planning permission. But there was such local opposition (over 5000 petition signatures), that it decided not to bother, so has never set up shop here.
And England’s first zero waste shop (set up by a retired Manchester United footballer and his wife). He also co-founded local company Rerooted Organic, which delivers organic plant-based drinks in reusable glass bottles, delivered on electric milk floats!
Home to many independent shops and a vibrant arts scene, Totnes sits on the River Dart, one of the wildest rivers in England. It flows from Dartmoor (one of England’s smallest national parks) to the English channel. And unique for a river, features ancient oak woodlands and waterfalls!
Boston Inspiration: A Climate-Resilient City
The beautiful city of Boston in the USA (indeed named after settlers in the same-named town in Lincolnshire) has suffered like most cities, from severe flooding.
But rather than just ‘go with the flow’ and listen to climate deniers (like President Trump and his merry men), mayor Michelle Wu has created the country’s first Climate Resilience Plan for a city, which is having huge positive effects. And could also be used here, to prevent floods in England.
Some of the ideas being used include:
- Raising the Waterfront to Stop Flooding. Boston lies at the edge of the Atlantic, so tidal flooding and storm surges keep city planners on their toes. Parts of East Boston and South Boston now have higher parks and raised roads. The city uses plants and green spaces to soak up the extra water.
- Strong Building Codes for New Homes. New buildings must use stronger materials, sit above flood lines, and handle strong winds. This move makes new homes and offices safer when storms hit.These codes also ask for better insulation, strong windows, and backup power for lifts and lights.
- Public parks, gardens, and plants play a big part in Boston’s fight against climate change. The city plants trees in neighbourhoods short on shade and updates playgrounds and sports fields with better drainage. These changes reduce heat, clean the air, and manage rainwater.
- More Clean & Green Public Transport. The city replaces diesel buses with electric ones and adds more bike lanes and walking paths. Extra trains during busy hours help more people leave their cars at home. The city’s “Bluebikes” scheme lets anyone borrow a bike for quick trips.
A Truly Progressive Green Mayor
A Harvard graduate, Mayor Wu has won a second term, despite her rival spending millions of dollars. She has passed laws to protect wetlands, brought in a plastic bag ban (all while delaying her studies to care for her sick mother).
In a strong defence to her right-wing critics, Michelle a is a practicing Catholic, whose action on climate change is a response to Pope Francis’ call that it is a sacred duty to protect God’s planet.
Other Things Michelle Has Done as Mayor
- Diverted City funds from fossil fuels to a Community Choice Energy Program
- Secured funding for thousands of new jobs to protect Boston’s coastline.
- Doubled the number of Boston’s street trees each year.
- Offered free bus transport on some routes
- Improved family leave (both mothers and fathers)
- Given free entry to many museums for children
- Renovated 20 public parks
- Filled over 18,000 potholes!
