Foodie In Florence: Transition Towns 101

In my last food study tour week I was out of the classroom and involved in seminars with guest speakers or on a farm visit. One of the speakers gave us some inspirational references about projects, people, and organizations that are working towards making changes on a local level. Happening now in the US and on a global scale is this process called the Transition Network.

It's a webiste where there's a community-led initiative that helps towns/villages/cities/neighbourhoods become stronger, happier by moving away from high levels of energy consumption, our high carbon emissions and our massive environmental impact.

These communities have started up projects in areas of food, transportation, energy, education, housing, waste, and arts as small-scale local responses to the global challenges of climate change, economic hardship and shrinking supplies of cheap energy. Together, these small-scale responses make up something much bigger, and help show the way forward for governments, business and the rest of us.

On the website there are resources from what a transiton network is, to how it starts, where are local projects happening, and the recources necessary for locals to come together and develop their own projects. These initiatives aren't just about climate change-they can be about anything!

It appears to be giving many towns and cities great success from the grassroot level upward. With so many recourses available, we really can come together and move towards a common goal.

Any idea's what Clinton should transition towards? A more permanent farmers market? A better school lunch program or an increase in protection to our Sound?

Whatever our town goals may be, the Transition Network process is a valuable resource is helping locals make real changes.

Take a look for yourself! What do you want to change? http://www.transitionnetwork.org/