While they have a website (http://www.portlandonline.com/northportland/index.cfm?c=32331), it does not connect neighbors or help them share resources.

That problem is now being fixed. We hope to work with organizations such as the Post Carbon Institute and Transition Towns as we move this new technology forward.

It could also be a way of engaging more of the of local communities and Towns. As I am sure you are aware here in Ireland, possibly largely due to affluence being a relatively new thing, there is much reluctance to give up the trappings it brings. People will cling onto Business as Usual for as long as possible.

Certainly from our work in Sustain West Cork we have found the locals respond far more to information evenings with titles such as “Saving Energy & Money in the home” than anything with Global Warming, Peak Oil or Save the Planet etc.

I was up at a very successful Convergence where as you know Transition Town’s was on the agenda including Minister John Gormley’s. There was some discussion amongst those of us interested in setting up the National Network Steering Group about how we may need to adapt parts of it to make it work here both in rural & city areas, can you see a place for an adaptation of Heinberg’s idea within the framework of Transition Towns?

I certainly wouldn’t see Heniberg’s suggestions as a subset of an EDP – it’s a very different piece of work. A piece of work that grumpy old doomers like me would be very interested in doing! So I’d recommend Transition groups keep an eye out for people on the periphery who are interested in, but sceptical of, their local transition work and introduce them to Heinberg’s idea – it might be a good way to get them on board and doing something constructive!

Richard got a standing ovation for his vision. He gets it from me too. I’ve been developing my own thoughts in a similar way for some time now…