Harnessing the Power of Community

This series of 9 public workshops provided an opportunity for local people to contribute towards and participate in the development of the Totnes & District Energy Descent Action Plan 2009 - 2030.

Each themed workshop focused on a selection of the key topic areas of the plan.  Persons interested in more than one topic area were welcome to attend all workshops of interest to them.  Click here for the workshop schedule and for the listings with workshop snapshots and links to the individual notices for more details about each workshop.  Participants were encouraged to bring their views and ideas for actions and projects towards reducing our energy usage. Additional information for TTT group members & volunteers: click here.

Information and expertise about the focus topic was available at each workshop.  The workshops included interesting and interactive presentations to broaden understanding around the topic theme and stimulate informed debate and creative contributions to the plan.  All participants at the workshops also had the opportunity to find out about getting involved in locally based activities which will help communities to reduce their energy usage  in these challenging times and help was on hand to help attendees assess their current energy usage assessed give tips on reducing energy use.

The workshops were informal and enjoyable and all were welcome to come along and get involved in this ground-breaking work.  Look out for individual posters about the different workshops.  Entry free.

Additional Information about the Energy Descent Action Plan 2009 - 2030

The Energy Descent Action Plan 2009 – 2030 (EDAP) will be an innovative tool to assist the community in reducing its reliance on oil between 2009 and 2030.  The plan will build on our individual and collective strengths towards a more locally focused and resilient society by finding common agreement on the changes we need to make.   Input to the EDAP is being drawn together as a community response, based on the ideas and knowledge of locally based people who will shape and agree actions needed to take us forward.  

A considerable amount of the groundwork has already been carried out, and many groups of people have come together over the past couple of years to develop ideas and start making changes in their own lives and in society.  Reducing energy use and dependence, supporting local businesses and producers, buying and growing local food, respecting and working with nature, reducing needless consumption, taking more personal responsibility for our health and wellbeing and sharing more time and resources with our neighbours and friends are just some of the intentional moves already taking place.  The task for the EDAP is to assist and encourage these kind of initiatives right across the 16  parishes in and around Totnes, such that a majority of people get involved in working together towards a low energy lifestyle.
    
While many of the actions we may need to take to reduce energy dependence may seem simple and familiar, refocusing our lives towards the local requires great changes in our thinking and lifestyle.  Over the past 5 decades or so, society has changed very rapidly towards being individualistic and globalised, often at the expense of vulnerable people, local businesses, environmental quality and community life.  By sharing our ideas and knowledge and making plans as a local community, we can apply tried and tested ways as well as create new ways towards a more resilient, less energy dependent society for Totnes and District.  Leaflets about the EDAP are available in various public offices and the library.
    
Getting Involved in the Energy Descent Action Plan:

Participation in and contributions to this plan can be made in a number of ways:-

By attending the public workshops
Sending in your ideas by email or writing into the TTT office
Joining a TTT group or project
Commenting on the on-line forum (from Dec.)
Help us publicise these workshops, bring your colleagues, friends and neighbours with you.

Timescale for the Plan:   

September 24th    Public Launch of Plan
November 2008    9 Public Workshops to engage involvement, ideas and a vision for the plan
January 2009    9 Public Workshops to develop actions and timeline to bring about some of  the visions for 2030
March 2009    Public Exhibition & review of draft EDAP.  Public Discussion workshops
April 2009    2nd draft of EDAP available for public comment
June 2009    Publication of Totnes & District Energy Descent Action Plan
    
Enquiries: Jacqi Hodgson, EDP project Coordinator tel. 0560 1538658 / 079-22411266
Transition Town Totnes, 43,Fore St., Totnes TQ9 5HN tel. 01803867358

For more information about The Energy Descent Pathways project please click here

Please help us to publicise these workshops by copying this notice to your friends, neighbours & colleagues

Thanks to our sponsors: