This is a compelling read. One way or the other it will change your life and the life of every other person on this planet. Sounds bizarre, we know, but please read on. We hope you will want to join us after reading this.

One thing we ask is a belief that petroleum (oil) is not a renewable resource. Second, that Climate Change is real. And last, that these two things will be bad for our economy. Why? Read on. But as you read please remember it is wiser to plan for change than to be forced to react to it.

Our Vision is to help create State wide vibrant communities where you know your neighbors, share resources, help each other out, and have fun doing it together, while at the same time you have less need for fossil fuels. This kind of community can rebound quickly from natural shocks like tornadoes or drought. More importantly, long term, these communities are able to rebound from political shocks like a fuel embargo or the naturally constant but terminal decline in petroleum.

This is the basis for the Transition Movement. Scroll past our mission graphic for the details:

Here are the details:
Worldwide, we are approximately at the maximum level of petroleum production. This is called "Peak Oil". The United States production of oil peaked in the early 1970's. Ever since then, the United States has been importing petroleum. Now, however, it is the entire world which has been predicted to peak in oil production. This world peak has already just occurred or will do so within a few years. There is no certainty until after the fact.

Peak Oil is not about “running out of oil”; it’s about “running out of cheap oil”. There will always be oil left in the ground because it's either too hard to reach, or it takes too much energy to extract. Regardless of how much money can be made selling oil, once it takes more than an oil barrel's worth of energy to extract a barrel of oil, the exploration, the drilling and the pumping will grind to a halt. The key elements of industrial societies - transportation, manufacturing, food production, medical equipment and drugs, home heating, construction - are all reliant on oil. Because thousands of these products are made from or use petroleum in their manufacturing, their prices will also go up or the product(s) may become scarce.

BREAKING NEWS

World Oil Production begins terminal decline. Prices sure to increase. Stay tuned.

Source

The graph above is a display of World Peak Oil.

Notice when it is occurring.

Likewise, the effects of Climate Change could also have diverse negative effects on our towns and cities if left unchecked. For example, there may be more frequent droughts or more severe storms. These, in turn, make it more difficult for farmers to grow the food we eat. The Transition movement helps neighborhoods and communities share resources so that they are better able to bounce back from whatever Mother Nature throws at them.

Evidence what causes Climate Change:

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(If you're using Firefox then right click on picture

and select "View Image" for larger graph.)

The above chart describes the level of CO2 currently in our atmosphere. Using trapped air in polar ice, scientists have been able to measure CO2 levels back 650,000 years. These levels have never been as high as they exist today. A consensus of world-wide scientists says that CO2 acts like a blanket around planet Earth. Over time this will increase world temperatures to dangerous levels, unless it is prevented. We need the political will to make the required changes to prevent these predicted high temperatures.

The final Copenhagen Accord reaffirms the importance of limiting global warming to 2.7° F, but current national commitments would lead to approximately 7.0 ° F warming by 2100. Use the following widget (by clicking on the ClimateInteractive graphic) to view the interactive Climate Scoreboard to calculate the long-term climate impacts of proposals under consideration in the negotiations to produce a global climate treaty. Watch the video (top right corner) for background and explanation of features.



These are the difficult reasons for the Transition grass root movement. If we do not plan for both Peak Oil and Climate Change simultaneously the alternative will be to merely react. Which is better? We believe planning is the best and most positive route.

The Transition Movement was born of a desire to envision a future with fewer resources, but a future the way we want to live it. To create places to live which are resilience (capable of withstanding shock without permanent damage.) This grass root movement has continued to evolve, community by community, through out the world on all six continents. Each person's participation is essential because each community has needs which are unique.

There is no one to blame for these issues. We all do what is in our best interest until such time we know better. Hopefully, we can begin now because we now know better.

The originator of the movement, Rob Hopkins has said, "Transition is a social experiment on a grand scale, and we don't know if it will work. But we do know that if we wait for government it will be too little, too late, and if we rely on individuals, it will be too little. But if we come together as communities, it might be just enough, just in time." Getting to know your neighbors has never been more important.

So, why should you join us?

Once a member you will have the the following resources available to you:

• Transition Wisconsin is now integrated with Twitter (NEW 01/19/10) View http://starturl.com/fjiil how to use this.
• Take a poll and view results. (NEW 01/5/10) (Look under Members (next to Internet) and select Poll)
• Explore impact of climate change on Google Earth (NEW 12/14/09) (Look under Get Started for Google Earth)
• Looking for a new vehicle? How many gallons of fuel per passenger does it take to cover a distance of 350 miles? This may surprise you. (NEW) A Cruise liner is actually better than the average SUV.(Listed as Fuel per Passenger under Getting Started Menu)
• Global Warming: Understanding the Forecast is a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of global warming: Video Lecture by David Archer from a core class for non-science majors, Fall Quarter, 2009, University of Chicago. (NEW) (Find it under the Media Menu at the top of the home page)
• Climate 1 Stop, researchers attending the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen unveiled a unique web site that gathers and organizes climate data for decision makers, professional scientists and lay people. (NEW) located in the Media Menu.
• A news feed from "The Oil Drum" (NEW) located on the Left column.
• An Economics Addition to ‘The Transition Handbook' (NEW) (under getting started)
• Middle East Business Intelligence Link (NEW) (Free Subscription)
• Extensive info on Peak Oil and Climate Change
• How to think "Locally" including the need for local currency and monetary change.
• Learn about Permaculture.
• View Global Warming Art, a collection of figures and images that accurately highlight and describe key issues necessary to understanding our world's changing climate.
• 100 specific things you can do during Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter.
• Learn about Reskilling. The re-acquiring of skills we will need to manage the energy decline transition we face.
• How you can create your own Transition community.
• Ways people can have choices for living in an urban lifestyle in sustainable, convenient and enjoyable places while providing solutions to Peak Oil and Climate Change.
• Share your own pictures/videos and experiences.
• View many informative videos. Currently 23 available.
• Advertise your own events for free.
• Get to know others in your area.
• Wisconsin transition resources on the Internet.

In summary, Transition Wisconsin is a networking site for those interested in exploring or implementing the Transition framework in Wisconsin communities. This site is being created through grassroots participation, and is continually evolving. It is intended to connect interested "transitioners" with each other and to support the development of local Transition Initiatives.

Transition Wisconsin Presents: Unsustainable 2010.

Best viewed full screen with audio turned on.

Problems playing? Click on HQ button to play in normal quality mode .

Thanks for taking the time to review our concerns as well as our positive approach to those concerns. We would enjoy having you join us. By signing-up you will have much more information about Peak Oil, Climate Change as well as the Transition Movement.

• Written by Rees Roberts and Judy Skog