This month, tclocal.org turns from local food production to another key concern, local energy self-sufficiency -- in particular, the direct combustion of local biomass.
In "Burning Transitions," Krys Cail presents "a framework for considering the socio-economic structural changes that can lead to a different, more stable, and more sustainable local market for heating fuel and electrical energy." The first phase of our use of fire changed humankind; the second, based on fossil fuels, changed the planet. Now it's time for a third phase marked by more local production and consumption of energy, "one that brings the source and use points of energy geographically closer together." The article, which expands on the presentation Krys gave at the Bioneers conference last week, can be found at http://tclocal.org/2009/10/burning_transitions.html People who want to comment on this article or engage Krys in discussion should note that the TCLocal web site is specifically designed to get feedback on these ideas as they are developed. Please use the comment form at the bottom of the article so that we can keep all the input in one place. ABOUT TCLOCAL Every month (approximately) TCLocal brings you another in our series of articles addressing various aspects of energy descent in Tompkins County. Contributors to TCLocal are members of the community committed to helping prepare for a future with less available energy. Articles that have appeared so far in this series can be found at tclocal.org. They include: Visioning County Food Production, Parts One and Two by Karl North (July and September 2009) http://tclocal.org/2009/07/visioning_county_food_producti.html http://tclocal.org/2009/09/visioning_county_food_2.html Can New York State Feed Itself? by Jon Bosak (June 2009) http://tclocal.org/2009/06/can_new_york_state_feed_itself.html Examining the Potential Local Foodshed of Tompkins County by Christian Peters (March 2009) http://tclocal.org/2009/03/examining_the_potential_local.html Food Processing in Tompkins County by Persephone Doliner (February 2009) http://tclocal.org/2009/02/food_processing_in_tompkins_co.html Wasting in the Energy Descent: An Outline for the Future by Tom Shelley (January 2009) http://tclocal.org/2009/01/wasting_in_the_energy_descent.html Local and Urban Small Livestock and Poultry by Angelika St. Laurent (December 2008) http://tclocal.org/2008/12/local_and_urban_small_livestoc.html Health Care in an Energy-Constrained Environment (Part 1) by Bethany Schroeder (October 2008) http://tclocal.org/2008/10/health_care_in_an_energyconstr.html Preparedness Basics by Katie Quinn-Jacobs http://tclocal.org/2008/09/preparedness_basics.html Post-Peak Land Use Part 1: Ecocities and Post-Peak Land Use Part 2: The Country by Josh Dolan (July 2008) http://tclocal.org/2008/07/postpeak_land_use_part_1_ecoci.html http://tclocal.org/2008/07/postpeak_land_use_part_2_the_c.html Water Treatment, Water Power by Jon Bosak (May 2008) http://tclocal.org/2008/05/water_treatment_water_power.html Roads and Bridges in a Post-peak Tompkins County by Simon St. Laurent (March 2008) http://tclocal.org/2008/03/roads_and_bridges_in_a_postpea.html Fruits in a Post-Peak Tompkins County by Angelika St. Laurent (January 2008) http://tclocal.org/2008/01/fruits_in_a_postpeak_tompkins_1.html Other articles scheduled for publication in 2009 include: Local wood heat (Tony Nekut) Health Care in an Energy-Constrained Environment, Part 2: Options for Re-evaluating Care Resources (Bethany Schroeder) Articles appearing at tclocal.org are published under the Creative Commons license and are owned and managed by the contributors as a group. People interested in becoming TCLocal contributors should first read "How to Contribute" at http://www.ibiblio.org/tcrp/about.htm#how and then contact the TCLocal editor at the address below to sign up. Jon Bosak Editor, TCLocal [email protected] _______________________________________________ For more information about sustainability in the Tompkins County area, please visit: http://www.sustainabletompkins.org/ RSS, archives, subscription & listserv information for: [email protected] http://lists.mutualaid.org/mailman/listinfo/sustainabletompkins Questions about the list? ask [email protected] free hosting by http://www.mutualaid.org
