Re-Becoming Villagers Wherever We Live (268)

Whether city folk or country folk, North Americans don't tend to know our neighbors, much less do things together. Mark Lakeman (Portland) and Brandy Gallagher (rural Vancouver Island) talk about "repairing" our isolation. How can we we reclaim our village roots−living, … [Read more...]

Energy and Climate Initiatives in Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is serious about lowering carbon emissions. Guided by a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions study, they're adding solar panels to city buildings, requiring lower energy usage for new buildings, switching to biodiesel and hybrid vehicles, and giving free bus … [Read more...]

Mendocino Renegade

Els Cooperrider is an energetic lady. She co-founded the Mendocino Organic Network, which began an organic peer-certification service for local growers. Their Mendocino Renegade label means products are "beyond organic" and local. She also led Mendocino to become the first … [Read more...]

San Francisco Takes Action on Climate Change

Cal Broomhead and Melissa Capria of the Energy & Climate Program discuss the rationale, aggressive plans, and activities for city-wide energy self-reliance and greenhouse gas reduction. Tools include energy efficiency in buildings, transit alternatives, alternative … [Read more...]

Community Responses to Peak Oil

Peak oil educator and author Richard Heinberg discusses what communities can do to prepare for peak oil. He covers transportation, including a novel ride-sharing scheme, assessing municipal vulnerabilities, local food and energy production, as well as the Hirsch report's … [Read more...]

The San Francisco Peak Oil Resolution

San Francisco is the first American city to formally address the challenges of oil depletion. Dennis Brumm and Alyse Heartwell recount how members of SF Oil Awareness envisioned, wrote and presented to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors a Peak Oil resolution, which they … [Read more...]

The Portland Peak Oil Task Force

Propelled by passage of the Portland Peak Oil Resolution in May 2006, a citizen's task force is developing recommendations for the city. With Brendan Finn, chief of staff to Commissioner of Public Affairs, and task force member Randy White. Their recommendations summary and … [Read more...]