Victoria's Green Matters - 27th June 2013

Deal With IT's Secretary Victoria Nicholls writes a regular column in the East Kent Mercury

There are all sorts of people doing all sorts of things around the country, in fact, around the world, who have been fired up by the Transition Movement. The Transition Movement developed originally in response to the threat of global climate change and the effects of peak oil. Far from being full of dismay for the future, the movement looks for ways to make life in the future better and always looks on the bright side.

The most important thing about transition is that it comes from small groups of people doing local things and the success of these things encourages other groups to follow suit. We need to move towards self-sufficiency at the local level, whether it be food, energy or other things. A good example is Brixton’s inner city, community owned power station, made up of 82kW of solar panels on the roofs of a council estate. Another is a group in Derbyshire who created a food hub in back gardens and made it a viable alternative to shopping in supermarkets.

Local currencies have been launched in several cities. This ensures that money is spent in local shops and supports local businesses. Businesses in Bristol can pay their rates in ‘Bristol pounds’ and the council gives their staff the option to have part of their salary paid the same.

Small actions make people realise that they have the power to make a difference. Creating a garden out of a waste land must be good!

Victoria Nicholls. Transition deal.