Rathfarnham Parish Eco Group, Dublin invited members of their local community and neighbouring churches to four environmental awareness evenings during April and May.
The group considered what the future might look like beyond peak oil and climate change and discussed the importance of building resilience and of finding community solutions.
Participants watched the first four episodes of Cultivate’s Powerdown DVD, which covers the following topics – The Challenge Ahead (climate, energy and sustainability), The Power of Community (social capital, resilience and the local economy), It’s All Connected (whole systems thinking and permaculture) and Rethinking Energy (conservation, curtailment, efficiency and appropriate technology).
The group plans to continue the series in the autumn by looking at – Getting Around, Shelter, Energy Descent Pathways and Global Citizenship.
In the meantime members of the group are considering the matter of food miles and plan to hold a 30-mile barbecue where only food they have grown themselves or that has been produced within a 30-mile radius will be served!
Plans are also underway to compile a local food directory, which will be distributed in the area to let people know which shops, cafes, and restaurants sell locally-sourced food.