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NEWS SUSTAINS MOTIVATION
“Individual commitment to
a group effort —
Vince Lombardi |
TRANSITION ISLAND ROADSHOW Growing Food and Produce, Self-Sufficiency How are we going to grow food without fossil fuels? How do we make the Island more self-sufficient? Is the Island big enough to be self-sustaining in locally grown food? If so, how could this be implemented? Availability of land for food production. People need to be made aware now of the true cost of imported food and we should start promoting local produce now. Why are farm animals transported to the mainland for slaughter? It should be done on the Island. Global transport systems account for about 13.5% of greenhouse gas. Animal farming accounts for 18%. If the Isle of Wight produced its own crops for human consumption instead of animal consumption and the land used for production of bio-fuels instead of meat production which gives about 10% protein return...? Ask for local allotments Ask for local abattoir – mobile?
Rethink of local (and national)
planning policy: Permaculture and other sustainable food-growing methods Research and education about ways to restore and condition soil Local compost, education on home / local / IW compost Research how much land (and sea) needed to sustain local population Inform / educate people about true cost of imported produce Promote local produce Garden sharing scheme – people who cant (or dont want to) manage their gardens let other people without gardens use theirs to grow food Children are the future –they need old skills like gardening and cooking Ensure that things are ready for when effects of peak oil hit
Education about food and
cooking, including less meat Decisions on what to grow – more fruit and nuts Rainwater harvesting.
How do we re-distribute the land on the Island so there are more allotments, self-build projects, community gardens, orchards, woodlands etc? Energy-efficient housing? Could we have more public land turned over to productive community growing, in other words allotments? When will our planners, locally and nationally, realise that people will soon need to have gardens to grow their own food? Also to consider the quality of the land that is being built on. Much good quality soil is being covered with houses and concrete. They [the Cubans] seemed to have plenty of land to distribute in order that crops be grown. The Island has vast areas of agricultural land. How might householders without gardens access this land? With the increasing cost of rented property and house prices, how can younger families afford to grow their own food when living in areas with no gardens / patios etc? “Parish” gardens sharing knowledge, work and food. I would love to see more organic gardening locally – sharing – allotments and using gardens for growing food. How could we start growing things in all the little “wasted” areas of land on the Island? Urban farms? Allotments unused Areas with no allotments (for example Brighstone) – garden exchange scheme – people who cant look after them offering to those who want to – Adopt a Garden Fruit trees in old peoples gardens – no-one to harvest – ads in free paper to offer? How to begin using odd areas – just start? To make allotments on publicly owned land to be publicly used What can be done to make builders build energy-efficient houses? Lobby the council to make this policy Encourage developments of local gardening clubs (practical, not talking-shops) – more co-operation, less competition Involving marginalised members of the community – especially those who dont have jobs – link to housing strategy? How to enable people to stay in their communities – cost of houses Council encouragement of eco-villages? Local gardeners markets – pannier markets. Recycling compost between neighbours? Could this Island become plastic bag free? Councils own the biggest roof area for rainwater harvesting. Can we use oil in a way that uses less of it? Transportation - Greener cars. Can we decrease public transport fares to encourage people to use cars less, and increase bicycle usage? With so many hills and a large population of elderly residents, is the option of public transport viable? With no circular train route, maybe the buses could be more environmentally friendly. Would a car-share system help the Island? Tax breaks for car-sharing. Global transport systems account for about 13.5% of greenhouse gas. Animal farming accounts for 18%. If the Isle of Wight produced its own crops for human consumption instead of animal consumption and the land used for production of bio-fuels instead of meat production which gives about 10% protein return...? Bio-fuel? Can it be made here? Were surrounded by tidal water. Where is our home-grown electricity? How to make villages / towns / Island more energy self-sufficient? Photovoltaics and wind turbines on Council buildings, St Marys, prisons, schools. Councils own the biggest roof area for rainwater harvesting. Are small wind turbines worthwhile?
How can we increase the likelihood that necessity will lead to co-operation rather than conflict? Evidently we cant wait for governments and corporations to rescue us. We have to find our own way of rising to the challenges we face. ”Parish plans” are being created – make sure you comment! Contact parish council. Post offices are community centres. Forming groups of “oldies” (while theyre still alive) to puck their brains about how to recover lost skills. Can youngsters help older people with their gardens for a handful of produce? There must be trade between communities – what will the Island produce of interest to, and in surplus for, neighbouring groups?
How do you change peoples attitudes? Evidently we cant wait for governments and corporations to rescue us. We have to find our own way of rising to the challenges we face. How can people lead by example? How can the Island aim to be sustainable with an increase in population, especially from an influx of “mainlanders”? We also need to drive awareness not just of what we lose, but the ecological effects on “planet and people” that oil use has, for example the 'Texaco' destruction of the Ecuadorian people. How do you overcome bureaucratic barriers to encourage small-scale food production? Can we use Isle of Wight Radios “People People” awards? Cuba was a poor country. Great Britain is a big country. How can you educate people out of the cult they love – speed and greed? Given that there is a developing consensus that oil demand will exceed supply sometime in the next five years, presumably with bad consequences for growth and the economy, should individuals and families be preparing now for salary descent? In other words, as well as looking forward to a golden age of organic agriculture, should we be taking immediate steps to prepare for potential unemployment and poverty? Work, rest and play in a more locally based environment? |
Launch meeting
11/10/07 "The UK in miniature - on an island." Open Space Discussion Topics: Growing Food and Produce, Self-Sufficiency
Agreed:
Remember:
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Interested?
Want to help with planning, developing, building, community projects |
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