The Transition Movement supports communities in transitioning to more sustainable systems in response to issues like peak oil and climate change. It takes a grassroots approach, encouraging communities to come together, share knowledge, and take practical local actions to increase resilience. Examples of Transition Town initiatives organize groups around areas like food, energy, transportation and build community through events like skill-sharing workshops and activities that showcase local sustainable options. The goal is for communities to determine their own paths to sustainability through open, inclusive and self-organized efforts.

1. Small Town,
Sustainable Opportunities
Examining How the Transition Movement
Shanna Ruyle Supports Positive, Local Change
MCAD/Introduction to Sustainable Design
December 10, 2012

2. Question
What can I do locally to make a difference in
the sustainability movement?

3. Question
What is actionable for my community
of 1600 people?

4. Question
What do people in my community want?
How can we support each other?

5. My Answer
Transition Towns
A grassroots-based movement that harnesses the creativity and
ingenuity of local citizens to envision and create a more sustainable
community. The main idea is for communities to help themselves in
practical ways locally, to withstand global issues they may not have
control over in the future, like climate, oil and economic crisis.

6. The Backstory

7. The concept of “transition” as it appears in Transition Towns
(aka the Transition Movement) was taken from a deep knowledge
of permaculture* and coupled with a community-based,
solution-oriented response to challenges and opportunities related
to peak oil, climate changes and economic crisis.
*What is Permaculture?
Permaculture is method of living and creating that
works with the land and inhabitants in an efficient, sustainable way
—examining nature and people in a holistic way. Permaculture
combines many disciplines to achieve a synergy for the locale and its inhabitants,
like sustainability, ecology, design, agriculture, forestry, engineering and architecture.
In reality, it is seen through landscapes that take advantage of heat sinks and wind direction
to maximize garden production, rainwater harvesting and community-based social gatherings.

8. Meet the Transition
Support Team

9. The Transition Network
www.transitionnetwork.org/
The Transition Network (est. 2006) is the international
organization leading the way. They provide a vast and
comprehensive set of resources to share the process and
support those stepping up to the challenge.
Their purpose:
“To support community-led responses to peak oil and climate
change, building resilience and happiness”.
Source: Hopkins, Rob, and Peter Lipman. Who We Are and What We Do. 43 Fore Street, Totnes TQ9 5HN, UK: Transition Network, Feb. 2009. Pdf.

10. Transition United States
http://www.transitionus.org/
Transition US (non-profit, est. 2008), is the United States’ resource
for communities looking to join the Transition Movement.
Their mission, roles and goals are similar to the Transition Network.

11. Guiding both entities are their
Seven Principles:
1. Positive Visioning
2. Help People Access Good Information and
Trust Them to Make Good Decisions
3. Inclusion and Openness
4. Enable Sharing and Networking
5. Build Resilience
6. Inner and Outer Transition
7. Subsidiary: self‐organization and decision
making at the appropriate level
Source: The 7 Guiding Principles of Transition | Transition US." The 7 Guiding Principles of Transition | Transition US. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012.

12. What I appreciate
most about their
approach...

13. 1 2
...Its Positive Spin
Positive reinforcement, goals and outcomes
outshine the underlying motivator
(a sudden fuel, economic or climate crisis).
The methodology is tactical and action based.

14. 2 3
...Its Straightforward
Knowledge Sharing
The wealth of information available
through the Transition Network and
Transition US websites, publication and
videos are vast, informative, and
magnificently organized.

15. 3 ...Its Step by Step
From gathering information stage, to joining, to
envisioned end, all of the information is there.

16. But they don’t claim to
know the answers.

17. “We truly don't know if this will work.
Transition is a social experiment
on a massive scale.”
Source: "What Is a Transition Initiative?" Welcome. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Nov. 2012.

18. The goal is for each community to discover
their own answers.
The ones that are right for them.

19. Genius, right?

20. You don’t have to become “official”
to use their site or learn from their
experience. It is available to anyone.

21. In fact, if the application process is too
cumbersome (and it just might be, depending on
where your volunteer base stands), I encourage
using the sites and publications to make progress
on small movements... after all, you know where to
go when you do get enough momentum
to put yourself on THE MAP.

22. The Map of Initiatives!
This Map shows “where the action” is at. Numbers and
locations represent both interest and official initiatives.
Source: http://www.transitionnetwork.org/map

23. To date there are 441 international
and 129 US official Transition initiatives
on the record.
Source: Welcome | Transition US." Welcome | Transition US. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.

24. Examples of Towns
in Action

25. Transition Town Totnes
Devon, UK
The very first town to under go this social experiment was Totnes. Since
2006 they have been working towards fulfilling the initiatives as crafted
by the founders of the Transition Network. Fast-forward six years, to
2012, and their event calendar is chalk full of events.
They have formed over 28 specialized groups to do work in everything
from housing to transportation to energy. And much of their work and
ideas are shared on their website for others to access.
Source: "News." Transition Town Totnes. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.

26. Sample Project
From Transition Town Totnes
The Atmos Project: “an ambitious project to bring the derelict
former Dairy Crest milk-processing plant in the centre of Totnes into
community ownership. The vision for the site is that it be owned by the
community and developed as the catalyst for a new economy for
Totnes. It would be a mixed use development, combining affordable
housing, local food processing, brewing, baking, an incubator for new
businesses, space for a wide range of enterprises, space for public
events and much more. Being next to the station it would become a
national icon for low carbon building, putting Totnes on the map as a
centre of innovation and sustainability.”
Source: "Atmos Project." Transition Town Totnes. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.
http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/groups/reconomybusinessnetwork/atmos-project/

27. Sample Event
From Transition Town Totnes
December, named “Month of the Mender” hosted a “Winterfest” that
brought people together for:
 sewing  making creams and medicines
 fermenting from herbs
 making mini forest gardens  making wooden toys
 planting nut trees in pots  draft-proofing
 handing out seeds  healing massage
 knitting  playing games together
 making DIY solar systems  conversations with the
local Credit Union about mending
 wiring plugs the local economy
 mending household items
Source: "News." Transition Town Totnes. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Dec. 2012.
http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/news/

28. Transition Town Ashland
Ashland, Oregon
The closest Transition Town in both relative size and location to my
own is Ashland, Oregon. Founded in 2008, they have created action
groups to address community, food, environment, heart and soul,
transportation, youth and education, health and wellness. Their
most recent public event was a Local Foods Treasure Hunt, to
showcase, field trip style, local food options and choices to children
and families and share how to prepare their “treasures”.

29. My Side Note

30. One of the criteria for application is
“An understanding of peak oil and climate change as
primary drivers and the intention of writing them
into your constitution or governing documents.”

31. I understand the criteria,
but don’t feel that it fits within the diversity
and inclusion message the organization brings

32. If the goal is to bring everyone in a community
together regardless of their beliefs,
,
toward a common goal and vision, I would
encourage an elimination of this criteria.
Here’s why...

33. Sometimes motivating people
to do what is right in the long run,
may not involve changing their
beliefs in the short term.

34. Many of the activities that will take place
under “Transition” do not require the belief
or understanding of peak oil or climate
changes for participation.

35. Consequences
Either the group would have to disclose this
information right away (and take a chance of
scaring off otherwise willing participants) or it
would be discovered later and take the
authenticity and transparency of the group to
an unacceptable level.

36. No need to stop
a project before
it starts.
Or freeze it, when it is gaining momentum.

37. Relinquishing the peak oil and climate
subject matter over to simply making
positive behavioral changes respects
diversity at a very local level—
no scientists or experts needed.

38. And, ultimately, that is what the
Transition Movement is about—
redefining local community
with its own local community.

39. Thank You

40. Resources
www.transitionnetwork.org/
http://www.transitionus.org/
http://transitionculture.org/
http://www.transitiontowntotnes.org/
http://transitiontownashland.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_Towns
http://www.permaculture.org/nm/index.php/site/key_concepts/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Permaculture
Mainstream Green: Moving Sustainabilty from Niche to Normal
Published by Ogilvy & Mather, 2011.
http://assets.ogilvy.com/truffles_email/ogilvyearth/Mainstream_Green.pdf