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Transition Towns

Article written by University of Tasmania student Warrick Jordan.

With daunting issues facing the world, such as climate change and peak oil, it's difficult to know how individual Tasmanians can make a difference. People in Kentish, Woodbridge, Scottsdale and Richmond are turning to the innovative concept of 'Transition Towns' for some of the answers. While Transition Towns was developed in the U.K. and Ireland, many Tasmanians are embracing the concept of living simply and building strongerSolar panel installation communities.

The North West is one region adapting the Transition Towns concept to fit within the Tasmania context.  Groups such as the Kentish Energy Efficiency Network Embracing Renewables are working hard to create effective responses to climate change and peak oil, starting with initiatives such as group buying of solar panels, which they hope to expand into Burnie and Devonport.

Dr Nick Towle, a sustainability advocate in Burnie, sees Tasmania as having a head start in creating transition towns - “In Tasmania we already have a pioneering spirit of making good with what we have.”  Dr Towle and other sustainability advocates have met with  local government and businesses in the North West to create a vision for the area's future.

“We need people working together on these issues,” Dr Towle said.Two ladies working in a community garden.

Southern Tasmania is also seeing rapid growth in community focused responses to climate change. Groups such as the Waterworks Community are undertaking projects such as walking school buses, backyard agriculture, food bartering networks, and group buys of solar hot water and Photovoltaic systems.

“There is a real craving for strengthened communities,” says Sustainable Living Tasmania's Margaret Steadman. “It's important to realise that the situation is urgent and we need to make real changes. As well as changing our lightbulbs, we need to build our communities.”

For more information on Transition Towns in your local area visit the Sustainability Tasmania website.

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