Transition town

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UnvergEssbar Witzenhausen Schaugarten 2

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Totnes High Street

Transition Towns are grassroots community projects that aim to increase self-sufficiency to reduce the potential effects of peak oil, climate destruction, and economic instability. Originating in Totnes, United Kingdom in 2006, the Transition Town movement has spread globally as part of the broader sustainability movement. The initiative is built on the premise that local action can mitigate the impacts of these global challenges by creating sustainable economies and communities.

History

The Transition Town concept was created by Rob Hopkins, an environmental activist, and permaculture instructor. Hopkins was inspired by his work in Kinsale, Ireland, where he helped write an energy descent action plan. This plan laid out steps for the town to reduce energy dependency. The success and ideas generated in Kinsale led Hopkins to implement the concept in Totnes, making it the world's first Transition Town.

Principles

Transition Towns operate on a set of core principles that guide their initiatives and projects. These principles include:

• Positive Visioning: Focusing on the positive outcomes of creating sustainable communities rather than the negative impacts of not acting.
• Building Resilience: Enhancing the ability of communities to withstand economic, environmental, and social shocks.
• Inclusivity: Ensuring that the transition movement is open to everyone, regardless of background or beliefs.
• Subsidiarity: Making decisions at the most appropriate level, favoring local decision-making wherever possible.

Initiatives

Transition Town initiatives vary widely but often include projects related to renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, water conservation, waste reduction, and local economy development. Examples include community gardens, local currency schemes, car-sharing programs, and educational workshops on sustainability practices.

Impact

The Transition Town movement has grown to include hundreds of communities around the globe, each adapting the concept to their local context. The movement's impact is seen in increased community cohesion, local economic revitalization, and the development of practical solutions to sustainability challenges.

Criticism

Critics of the Transition Town movement argue that it may not be scalable enough to address the global nature of climate change and peak oil. Others worry that it could divert attention from the need for systemic change at the governmental and corporate levels.

See Also

• Sustainability
• Permaculture
• Localism
• Community-led total sanitation

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