|
Peak Oil and Our Energy Future Radio Interview - Michigan's Energy Future: A Community Forum
Grand Rapids, Michigan -- July 22, 2006 Press Release (Word) - Published in The Hastings Banner, 7/27/2006, summarized in Energy Bulletin Peak Oil sobered participants at "A Community Forum on Michigan's Energy Future" held in Grand Rapids. People from around the state gathered to learn about the future of Michigan's energy. Speakers included Aaron Wissner, organizer of the Local Future Network; David Gard, Energy Program Director for the Michigan Environmental Council; Dana Deley, Energy Program Advisor to Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm; and George Heartwell, Mayor of the City of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Two new documentary films screened: "The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and the Collapse of the American Dream" and "The Power of Community: How Cuba Survived Peak Oil". Aaron Wissner's multimedia presentation described Peak Oil, the extensive evidence that it is happening now, and strategies for addressing the consequences. Peak Oil represents an unexpected and difficult transition from the current global, oil-based economy to a future of local sustainable economies. This change is due to the world reaching all time maximum oil production or Peak Oil, and the results of the following slow but inevitable decline in petroleum production. Hundreds of well regarded experts in the areas of geology, physics, banking, economics, education, and politics are speaking out about this under-reported issue. Bill Clinton, George Bush, Al Gore, Matthew Simmons, Roscoe Bartlett, Colin Campbell, Key Deffeyes, Lester Brown and Richard Heinburg are among the growing number of voices urgently trying to focus attention on Peak Oil and the need for global understanding and action. Wissner cited a rapidly expanding list of authoritative books, organizations, web sites, and films created specifically to educate the public about Peak Oil. Participants were unsettled that Peak Oil would force significant unanticipated changes. The peaking and declining oil production leads to an inability of the global economic system to supply basic needs including food, heat, electricity, transportation and security. Wissner called for individuals and communities to quickly begin organizing in order to develop local systems that provide these essential services at local and regional scales. He encouraged participants to join the Local Future Network, an organization designed specifically to help individuals transition to compassionate, sustainable, local systems. David Gard addressed the need for Michigan to catch up to other states in their energy policy. Michigan currently does not have a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard, true Net Metering, or an overall energy strategy. Gard emphasized the need to develop all three to encourage the transition to a renewable electricity system utilizing Michigan's extensive wind resources. Gard focused on the billions of dollars being drained from Michigan's economy due to its dependence on imported energy from oil, coal, natural gas, and uranium. Michigan imports 100% of its coal and uranium, 94% of its oil, and 75% of its natural gas. Recent price hikes in oil prices have increased the volume of money flowing out of Michigan, putting a considerable strain on the state. Gard stressed the need to develop a comprehensive energy plan to move Michigan towards sustainability and energy independence. Dana Debel delivered a presentation outlining Governor Jennifer Granholm's "Jobs Today, Jobs Tomorrow" plan to transform Michigan's economy. The plan features diversifying the state's industries including a focus on renewables. Debel listed a number of new hi-tech firms who recently chose Michigan for new operations. Mayor George Hartwell spoke on the efforts and successes of the city of Grand Rapids. The city set a goal for at least 20% of municipal electricity to come from renewable sources. Ridership on the area's public bussing system has grown significantly every year this decade. The city has the most LEEDs energy efficiency certified building per capita in the nation. Grand Rapids is also a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol, along with hundreds of other US cities. The documentary film, "The End of Suburbia" focuses on the expansive road infrastructure of North America, and the extreme transition that will occur due to Peak Oil. The film features interviews on the impacts of the oil production peak with experts including Matt Simmons, Colin Campbell, Michael Ruppert, and Richard Heinberg. James Howard Kunstler provides background on the history and growth of the modern suburbs, which was made possible due to an abundance of affordable oil. Peter Calthrope described how cities could transform themselves into more livable, less oil dependant, communities by designing compact and walkable town centers. "The Power of Community" explores the adjustment that Cuba made to accommodate a huge decrease in oil supply caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union, as well as due to U.S. policies that effectively cut off most of Cuba's import/export market. Cuba rapidly transitioned to small scale, local, organic agriculture including urban gardening. Many of the people became farmers in order to provide for their family's, and community's, food needs. This shift was primarily due to the inability to fuel tractors and farm machinery without the oil that was no longer being imported. Cuba transformed their transportation system by greatly increasing public transportation with bussing, free public taxis, increased walking, and widespread biking. At the same time, Cuba maintained their free universal health care and education system. The several year transitional period is referred to as the "special period". Megan Quinn, Faith Morgan, and Pat Murphy of Community Solutions in Yellow Springs, Ohio first premiered this film at the "Conference on Peak Oil and Community Solutions" in September of 2005. Participants at the Michigan Forum concluded the day with a discussion of the need to continue bringing these messages to the community with future events focused on strategies to adapt to Peak Oil. Forum sponsors were the local chapter of Democracy for America, the Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy, the local chapter of the Izaak Walton League, the Local Future Network, and the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. The organizing team consisted of Shirley Kallio, David Veenstra, Jeff Smith, Candi Teachout, and Aaron Wissner. The event venue was the historic Wealthy Theater in Grand Rapids. Video Presentation - Peak Oil: The Energy Crisis of Oil Supply Depletion
Email aaron@localfuture.org
Copyright 2006 Local Future Network |