Think Globally, Live Locally
Elena Bespalova
Institute for Civic Engagement
Peak Beast
2/11/06
As we all know the city of Burlington and the Burlington progressive community have pursued a strategy of “Think globally. Live locally”. It is a strategy of sustainable development that has evolved to include increased citizen participation, greater environmental responsibility, growing social equity, an invigorated economy, and the maximized use of Vermont resources. The Institute for Civic Engagement and Burlington College is presenting a series of discussions concerning global and local issues pertaining to Burlington. On February 15, in the City Hall, they hosted James Howard Kunstler, author of influential books The Geography of Nowhere, Home From Nowhere, and, The Long Emergency, which focuses on the challenges faced by a changing America in the 21st Century.
Kunstler’s lecture was called “ The Long Emergency and the Death of Suburbia”. Kunstler began his speech with a brief explanation about the term “Peak Oil.” He demonstrated super knowledge of the topic and supported the lecture with slides. We all know the power of the picture; so, his slide showing the simple oil production “hump” (Hubert’s Peak Oil Schematic), with its peak in 2005, is impressive, as was his simple comment: “We are on the top, heading down to the other side”. He leaves us pessimistic, when we realize that we are falling down already. This is the local situation, in the United States. Is there any more optimism to be found around the world?
Read the rest of the paper by downloading it here (PDF/538 kb).
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