Green Transition in Action

A Lake Chapala Green Group Division

Green Transition in Action is an association of people living in the communities around Lake Chapala, in Jalisco, Mexico, who feel the time is now for action to promote sustainable living, both locally and around the globe. A particular inspiration for the group is the Transition Town initiative, which started in 2005 in Totnes, England and has spread to a dozen cities in Britain, "and as of May 2010, there are over 300 communities recognized as official Transition Towns" in various places around the world. The transition is necessary because we are in the era of "Peak Oil," with a future of abundant fossil fuel on the wane, and global warming increasingly likely. Transition Network and Transitions United States are sources of information on the movement at large. A Q&A with founder Rob Hopkins may be found here.

A video on the 2008 Transition Town Conference in Cirencester, England shows the grassroots and cross-generational flavor of the movement. Don't think that the effort is confined to the usual activist crowd, however. The group has the participation of leaders and politicians across the board and has developed diverse and substantial funding.

The highly-motivated will want to see this hour-long interview with Rob Hopkins to fill in the blanks.

GTiA and LCGG have much in common and have joined forces to promote sustainability in our corner of the world.

Copy from the GTiA Brochure will give you a taste of our group:

Taking ACTION to make the green transition, which includes:

   • Identifying the unique needs of the Lakeside community
   • Sustainable living educational outreach and exploration
   • Sharing resources and information
   • Building community resiliency
   • Fun!

THE GREAT RESKILLING

“I believe that one of the main factors …is the realization that we no longer have many of the basic skills our grandparents took for granted. One of the most useful things a Transition Initiative can do is to offer widely available training in a range of these skills.” Rob Hopkins, author, The Transition Handbook.

Water
Water purification: e.g., water filtration with clay pots Harvesting and conserving water Solar water heaters

Gardening
Patio/container gardening
Permaculture and vermiculture
Sharing and bartering excess produce
Composting
Natural pesticides Local edible plants

Food
Preservation: canning, drying etc.
Constructing a solar food dryer and solar oven
Solar oven cooking
Cooking from scratch
Simple refrigeration – clay pots again
Animal husbandry
Raising Chickens, rabbits, etc.
Food foraging
Beekeeping

Medicine
Alternative medicine
Local medicinal plants of Jalisco
Herbal remedies
First aid and basic medical skills
List of resources to stock at home
List of healers and practitioners in the community

Unplugged Entertainment
Storytelling
Knitting, sewing, weaving
Dancing
Singing and chanting
Playing music
Games

Transportation
Basic bicycle repair
How to use the bus (and get to Guadalajara or anywhere!)
Convert cars to battery or electric
Ridesharing

Cultivating Community
Engage the neighbors in sharing their knowledge and skills
Start a reskilling resource directory
Start a community garden
Share basic sustainable tools with others and have them “pay it forward” to others.

Potential Local Cottage Industry
Building solar ovens and dehydrators
Organic products: salsa, vinegars, soaps and cosmetics Clay pot refrigerators and water filters
Hydroponic vegetables
Medicinal plants
Green modes of transportation

Economics
Barter
Exchange
Local currency
Surplus distribution
Free-cycle

Energy
DIY Solar, wind, geothermal, water etc. alternatives

Building and Housing
Earthbag construction
Carpentry
Plumbing
Electrical

Waste
Compost, Reuse and recycling
Composting toilets

The Psychology of Change

What knowledge and skills do YOU have to share?

“This is an historic opportunity to do something really extraordinary and have fun doing it.”

IDEAS   IDEAS   IDEAS
Local resource guides
Potlucks with a Purpose Solar Cook-in …what’s yours?