During RTE's radio pro-gram 5-7 Live (8th De-cember), Minister for the Environment Dick Roche seriously misrepresented Feasta’s position on emissions trading. The incident took place as Green Party spokesman Ciaran Cuffe and Minis-ter Roche were inter-viewed on the outcome of the United Nations Climate Change confer-

ence in Montreal.

The Minister was enthusiastic regarding the establishment of a carbon fund for Ireland, in order to buy credits, rather than “closing Irish indus-try down”. Cuffe ri-posted that this was let-ting business off the hook and more effort should be going towards overall reduction in emissions. As the discussion became increasingly heated, Min-ister Roche then

claimed that Irish NGOs attending the conference were in agreement with him, and under pressure from Cuffe, named Feasta as saying, “how very positive it [would be] to buy carbon credits from 3rd world countries…we’d be able to assist

them”.

Feasta delegate Annie Sugrue was shocked when she was

informed of the report.

“This is at best disingenu-ous”, she said. “Ireland must clean up its own domestic problem first through real emission reductions, but it is also good for the developing world if Ireland can look at some CDM [Clean Development Mecha-nism] projects in the de-veloping countries that address poverty and sus-tainable development. I was clear in communicat-ing that to the Minister.” Sugrue’s full account of the conference will be soon be appearing on

www.feasta.org.

Do you believe that the current emissions trading system is a subsidy for the big polluters? To get involve in Feasta’s Climate Change

group, contact

climate@feasta.org

Minister Dick Roche gets it wrong again

Winter 05/06

Feasta’s position on emissions

trading misrepresented by Minister

Feasta

10a Lwr Camden St

Dublin 2

Phone (01) 405 3615

Email feasta@anu.ie

www.feasta.org

Feasta finances — we need YOUR help

Some of you may have wondered how

Feasta funds it activities.

The truth is that for the past few years, membership subscriptions have provided less than 5% of our income, and the only reason we have been able to op-erate on the scale we have, has been that a small charitable trust and a generous individual have been making regular dona-

tions with no strings attached.

Without these donations – which totalled €44,000 last year - we would not have been able to run our small office with its two part-time staff, who together are paid for 29 hours work per week – less than the equivalent of one full-time person. And with-out the office, most of our activities would

have been impossible.

Now, due to a change in his personal circumstances, the individual donor must cease his regular (continued on back page)

Feasta is an Irish word that means 'from here on' or 'in the

future'. The foundation aims to identify the characteristics

(economic, cultural and environmental) of a truly sustain-

able society, articulate how the necessary transition can be

effected and promote the implementation of the measures

required for this purpose.

Held in University College Dublin at the end of June, this conference was organised by Feasta, in association with the Department of Environ-mental Resource Management at the Faculty of Agri-Food and the Environment, UCD. Here

Bruce Darrell describes the three day event.

The first day of the conference focused on trying to understand the complexity of the problems that we face and the context within which we must search for solutions. The enormity of our task was described by Richard Heinberg in his opening address as "an immense challenge and will call for un-precedented levels of creativity at all levels

of society."

Mae-Wan Ho then argued that the problem of environmental degradation is directly re-lated to the way that energy flows through and escapes industrial agriculture. The sim-ple cycle of industrial agriculture releases most of the inputs of energy and nutrients, rather than returning them to the land. Bio-logically diverse landscapes and agriculture systems are made up of complex, nested cycles that capture and reuse inputs of en-

ergy, water and nutrients.

The final speaker of the morning, Helena Norberg-Hodge described from personal experience how difficult it is to convince younger people within many 'underdeveloped' areas of the world to maintain their traditional way of life and their sustainable systems of food produc-tion, when faced with the perceived ease and benefits of the 'developed' world. As globalisation continues many communities are losing control of local food supply sys-tems and are unable to make the transfor-mations that are necessary to establish and

maintain their own food security.

During the afternoon workshops, delegates considered the question: Do we have enough time, knowledge, money, energy and political power to make the necessary trans-

“an immense

challenge….

calling for

unprecedented

levels of creativity

in our society”

Page 2

formations to our food supply systems? Perhaps, but we need to fundamentally change the way that we look at food and its relationship to our health, our econo-mies, our communities and the environ-ment. Colin Sage summarized the after-noon’s output, citing the need for a para-digm shift, to create "a new vision for a sustainable, health enhancing, ecologically

sound agriculture."

The second day of the conference concen-trated on solutions; the tools and tech-niques that we can use to feed the world's population while decreasing our depend-ence on fossil fuels. Solutions were consid-ered along four basic themes: technology,

knowledge, infrastructure and society.

There are numerous possibilities of tech-nology-based solutions but most are sim-ply modifications of industrial agriculture, adapting systems that are fundamentally flawed. These solutions are popular with industry, wealthy farmers and govern-ments obsessed with GDP but technology is expensive and often ties farmers to re-peated expensive inputs and to crippling debt. In comparison, farm based energy sources such as biofuels, windmills, and solar collectors are examples where tech-nology can really benefit the farmer be-cause they increase control and reduce the necessity to import expensive energy in the future. Julian Darly expanded on this idea by introducing the concept of an En-ergy Farm that could generate and store energy for distribution to the local com-

munity.

Cáit Curran then described the impor-tance of knowledge-based solutions – such as the understanding of natural interac-tions and use of biological processes that organic farming utilizes. Knowledge based solutions such as these are easy to dis-seminate, adaptable and are generally fo-cused on more integrated, small-scale sys-tems. She concluded that we should be

Food Security in an Energy Scarce World

Page 3 Winter 05/06

“the

reintegration of

food production

with human

habitation”

concentrating on these types of solutions but it is a lot easier to find funding for the development of technology and systems that can be sold for profit. Knowledge of biologi-cal processes was again emphasized as Folke Günther insisted that closing nutrient cycles is an essential part of any sustainable food system and requires the reintegration of

food production with human habitation.

The third day of the conference examined prece-dents of food systems. David Holmgren talked about permaculture and Lori Stahl-brand intro-duced ecolabels (an evolution of organic and fair trade labeling), which would enable people to choose food that is local, ecologically sound and so-cially supportive. Micheline Sheehy Skeffing-ton described how people in Cuba have adapted to a localized system. Tom Campbell presented Jules Pretty’s ex-ploration of the nature of sustainable, pro-ductive and culturally supportive farm sys-tems that are possible here in the 'developed' world. Wayne Roberts from the Toronto Food Policy Council talked in very practical terms about what changes local governments can begin to make in order to implement food security at local level, whilst promoting popular education, public health and community control. John Feehan ended

the session with an impassioned appeal for real support and adequate resources for the farming community within rural Ireland - “A new revolution is needed if farming is to recover the dignity that many farmers believe it has lost, allowing it to put the production of quality food back at the cen-

tre of what it does."

We have very little time to make these transforma-tions. The re-maining fossil fuel may be regarded as capital to be invested wisely in this "conversion process, so that we can stop living un-sustainably and put into place the tools and equipment that we need to live and to grow our food in a sustainable way."(Richard

Douthwaite)

As I bicycle to my allotment

to harvest a crop of low-carbon vegeta-bles, I can't help wondering if the overall benefits of transition to a post-Peak Oil age could outweigh the inevitable traumas.

Food for thought indeed.

For more information go to

www.feasta.org/food

In this invigorating book, the authors show how exercising consumer choice in regard to what we eat can have far-reaching consequences for our local & global economies, as well as for our own health & well being. Many of us are experi-encing a growing sense of unease about the quality of our food, as successive food scares and supermarket monopolies undermine public confidence in the cur-rent system of food production & distribution. This book can show you how to make a difference, and

take back control over what you eat.

The book opens by listing the merits of going organic, leading to discussion of the problems in today’s industrialised and conventional food sys-tems. Clear-sighted analysis of the problems of the dominant food industry is balanced by real-life exam-ples of growers & processors who are producing quality organic food – and turning a profit at the same time. Many people are discouraged from eating organic due to exorbitant prices, however as the practical tips and examples outlined in this book show, advances can be made by learning to consume more productively. The advantage of group action is emphasised in profiles of collective buying

Real Food for A Change

Page 4

strategies such as dinner clubs, food cooperatives, box schemes & CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). Con-sumer power is also highlighted, as the reader is introduced to the concept of the ‘buycott’ – buycotters go out of their way

to buy from those who try to do the right thing, not just punish those doing the wrong thing. This points towards the merging of local food economy and social enterprise, and a number of food businesses

that serve the community are profiled.

Conventional food production and distri-bution is responsible for about 25 % of gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Through exer-cising responsible choices in our food shopping, each of us can contribute positive change to the food business, and help transform farming into an environ-mentally responsible activity rather than the major contributor to global warming it is today. Real Food

for a Change is a stimulating guide to eating well, for the health

of the individual and the planet.

Available from FEASTA for €12 (Members Price €10)

+ €3.50 post & packaging.

The Party’s Over begins with a commanding view of world history, where past and present developments such as war, empire and popu-

lation growth are interpreted as functions of energy availability.

Some of the basic energy principles in natural eco-systems and human societies are explored. The energy avail-able in an ecosystem is one of the most important factors in determining its carrying capacity, which is the maximum popu-lation of any given species that can be supported by its environ-ment on an on-going basis. Energy subsidies in the natural world result in moments of extravagance for some species, but crashes and die-offs usually follow. This ecological fact should send warning bells to humans. Pollution and climate change are two dangers of drawing down too much of the earth’s non-renewable resources. The third danger is the dependency of human beings on this energy to maintain their basic necessities - including food. Modern food systems are energy intensive in

every respect.

Heinberg goes on to remind us how the 1973 oil

price rise shattered the international economy because of the world’s

The Party’s Over

dependence on oil for transportation, industrial production and agriculture.

The response should have been to undertake ongoing conservation efforts

and investments in renewable energy sources. Instead the path taken was

consumptive excess and a growing attempt of the US to control

global petroleum resources. Plans are only made to meet short-term

crises without thought for future generations. Changing from non-

renewable energy to renewable energy requires time and shifting

investment and would entail a complete design of industrial societies.

However profound changes are inevitable in every sphere of life as oil

begins to run out. Ultimately it is hoped that once humanity has

passed through this period of shedding complexity it is possible that

our descendents will attain a less-consuming, and more fulfilling, way

of life.

Available from FEASTA for €18 (Members Price €16) + €3.50 post

& packaging.

Powerdown opens with a summary of some of the ideas pro-pounded in his previous book The Party’s Over – essentially, that the combination of resource depletion and population pressures will result in a world of war, economic collapse and environmental catastrophe. Heinberg identi-fies himself as an information worker and a generalist – and the sheer breadth of Heinberg’s perceptiveness is evident in his depiction of society in the not so distant fu-

ture.

Heinberg outlines four options for industrial societies during the coming decades; Last One Standing: the path of competition for remaining resources, Powerdown: the path of cooperation, conservation and sharing (similar to Contraction and Convergence),

Powerdown

Waiting for a Magic Elixir: wishful thinking, false hopes, and denial, Building Lifeboats: the path of community

solidarity and preservation.

No prizes then for guessing which scenar-ios Heinberg favours. However, it is vital that possible solutions and actions are contemplated by all of us as we enter the age of energy scarcity. The book also explores how power elites, activists and ordinary people are likely to respond in the envisaged scenar-

ios. A must read!

Available from FEASTA for €16 (Members

Price €15) + €3.50 post & packaging.

by Wayne Roberts, Rod McRae & Lori Stahlbrand, published by Random House Canada

The Party’s Over – Oil, War and the Fate of Industrial Societies by Richard Heinberg (Clairview 2003)

Powerdown – Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World Richard Heinberg (Clairview 2004)

What is your book about?

It is about bottom-up initiatives such as box schemes, community-supported agriculture, land and community trusts, credit unions, local transport schemes, ethical banks, community businesses, co-operative shops, etc., etc. in Britain and the Czech Republic. I tried to find out things about how to keep the local shop viable, how to get affordable housing for the locals, how to keep the public transport going and how to keep farms paying their way. Interviewing the people in my book was a voyage of discovery

for me and hopefully will be for the reader as well.

Why did you write it?

Over the years, have witnessed the economic decline of the small Czech village where I live. A process which was kick-started by Communism has continued under the laissez-faire variant of Capitalism, with its one-sided emphasis on economic botttom-lines. I felt a book was needed pointing to existing alternatives to this unsustainable model. Such alternatives appear to be more developed in Britain than

in my own country. They even have a name there – they are called „social enterprises“.

What are social enterprises? They are often defined as businesses with a triple bottom line – economic, social and environmental. I believe that social enterprises have in a way always been with us – the corner shop and the small family farm are cases in point. What is new is that we are realising that social and ecological „embeddedness“ is

a crucial characteristic of businesses which we should recognise, reward and nurture.

Which were the most interesting social enterprises which you discovered while you were

researching the book?

The Isle of Eigg Trust, a social enterprise based on non-profit ownership, was one. Another well-developed specimen was WyeCycle, a local food and recycling business in Wye. However, all the 71

projects, 25 of them in the Czech Republic, were interesting and each was in some way unique.

Now that the book is published, what are your plans for the future?

This year I am planning to develop the book into a PhD thesis to conclude my doctoral programme at the Masaryk University in Brno. A Czech series which I am writing for the Czech Friends of the Earth magazine along the lines of Living in the Cracks will, I hope, be published as a book in 2006. Other plans include more teaching, writing and research on new economics – perhaps in co-operation with Feasta

and the New Economics Foundation which have co-published my book.

Where can readers get your book? It can be ordered via the Amazon or Green Books website (www.greenbooks.co.uk), or downloaded

free at the website of Feasta (www.feasta.org).

Nadia Johanisova clearly has great affec-tion for this subject, made apparent by the warmth and sincerity of her per-sonal style. She describes her view of ‘third sector’ endeavours as seedlings emerging from between the cracks of latter-day capitalism - a quest for eco-

nomic alternatives.

Social enterprises are a combi-nation of three institutional types: the public body, the charitable (non-profit) sector and the business company. They also tend to blend three types of bene-

fits: economic, social and environmental. Social enterprise may thus be seen as a practical application of the goals of sustain-

able development.

This book is a useful reference guide, as Johanisova has included a descrip-tion and contact details for all social enter-prises studied. She resists the temptation to romanticize the lifestyles of social entre-preneurs and thoroughly documents the challenges of running a small scale business

in a global economy.

Available from FEASTA €10 (Members

Price €8) + €2.50 post & packaging.

A Quest for Economic Alternatives

Living in the Cracks - An interview with the author Nadia Johanisova

“Social enterprise

may be seen as

a practical

application of the

goals of sustainable

development”

Page 5 Winter 05/06

This newsletter and www.feasta.org

are usually dedicated to reporting on

the output from Feasta Working

Groups and the Feasta Executive –

but for this issue, we’ve decided to

highlight some of the other projects

that Feasta members are involved in.

For those who despair at the prob-

lems that face our planet, but feel

helpless and unable to act, it may

give you hope to read about what

people are doing to bring about real

sustainability. The individuals profiled

here are thinking globally & acting

locally, in the areas of housing, poli-

tics, trade and transport.

Are you working for sustainability in

your neighbourhood? Send your story to

feasta@anu.ie

Margaret Irish, a FEASTA member since 2002, tells us about her work for Fair-trade. Margaret also gave a presentation on Fairtrade at the recent FEASTA Members’ Weekend in Mallow, Co.

Cork.

“I got involved in the Fair-trade group in February when they were campaigning to make Kilkenny a Fairtrade city. A lot of work had already been done and the Council supported the idea, which was one of the requirements. The main emphasis in the campaign was on tea and coffee, al-though there are now many other Fairtrade products available. The aim was to have a certain number of shops selling Fairtrade, catering outlets serving Fairtrade as their main tea and

Tomas O Maonaile - Gaeltacht Eco estate

Margaret Irish and Fair

Trade Kilkenny

Feasta Members Feature - changing the world one day at a time

“Fair Trade

awareness is

growing and it

now seems to be

an idea whose

time has come”

Page 6

FEASTA member Tomas O Maonaile is currently developing a Gaeltacht eco-estate. A fluent native Irish speaker, Tomas has also had a longstanding interest in environmentally and community friendly housing design. Eventually, Tomas decided to act on his idea and having acquired a site in Co. Meath, then commissioned architect Christopher Day to design the houses. Unfortunately the completed design was too avant-garde for the local planning au-thorities at Meath County Council, who noted that the ‘eave lines were disjointed and haphazard’. Planning permission was granted after a more conservative design was submitted – Tomas found the

lengthy process of ap-plying for planning per-mission one of the more trying aspects of

the project so far.

In this first phase, Tomas intends to com-plete six houses alto-gether. Building began last year. At this time, one show house is

completed, and another two houses are under construction. In landscaping around the houses there is a strong emphasis on com-munity friendly design, with plans for an organic garden plot, for-

estry, playground & onsite crèche facility.

Tomas hopes to target Irish speakers with an interest in environ-mental and community living, and feels that he will experience his

reward when Sraidbhaile Nua Gaelach & Glas is a living community.

For more information you can contact Tomas at tomas@gael.ie, 087 811 1521 or write to him at Domhnach Phadraig, An Uaimh, Co. na Mi. Tomas made a presentation on his work at the recent FEASTA Mem-

bers’ weekend in Mallow, Co. Cork.

coffee, and organisations using it on a daily basis — schools,

offices and work places. “

“Most of the people we talked to were at least willing to consider the idea. A few gave their full backing and supported our promotional events. Two of the supermarkets now sell Fairtrade at cost, which makes it almost the same price as the alternatives. The public response was mostly positive - Fairtrade awareness is growing and it now seems to be an idea whose time has come. Those who objected often saw it as a rip-off, or wanted it to include Irish farmers. But no rip-off of ours could compare to what the collapse of

coffee prices has meant to small farmers in countries that

don't have social welfare.”

Continued on page 8

Page 7 Winter 05/06

It began as an apparently hopeless cause: a handful of villagers in remote northwest Mayo taking on the multinational oil & gas giant Shell. But this struggle has captured the sympathy of many people (and turned into one of the biggest protests against Shell in Europe) after five local farm-ers were jailed for refusing the company access to their land because they feared a proposed

gas pipeline was unsafe.

FEASTA member Mark Garavan is spokesman for the Rossport Five – you may have seen him on the evening news representing the campaign. Here he takes a break to answer yet more

questions…

Q: how did you get involved in the campaign?

Mark: I knew many of the people who later became involved in the campaign from a course I taught on in 1999/2000. I then was involved in a sociological research project from 2000 to 2003 in which I used the Corrib Gas conflict as a case study. Following that I became a more conventional supporter of the local community's struggle. In June of 2005 I resolved to do all I could to assist the campaign following the Rossport Five's imprisonment - and ended up in the

role of a spokesman.

The campaign is very much focused on a collective community effort. A great number of people are involved at various levels. It is not in any way a hierarchy. My role is to act as a

spokesman conveying the campaign's positions.

Q: Could you tell us about some of the frustrations and the rewards of the job?

Mark: The outstanding reward has been to observe the heroism and integrity of so many peo-ple. Not just the five imprisoned men and their families but also the individuals who campaigned, marched and protested on a point of principle. The most frustrating element is how constricted the media is - how difficult it is to make an argument in public given the media's time and space

constraints.

Q: How do you see the campaign developing in the future?

Mark: The campaign will remain focused on the issues - safety, health and the need for Shell to process the gas offshore. The community in North Mayo will not relent on these issues so Shell

will simply have to accede to the will of the people.

Fighting words indeed! For more on this campaign see www.corribsos.com

Mark Garavan, spokesman for the Rossport Five/Shell to Sea campaign

“The reward ...to

witness the

heroism and

integrity of so

many”

“I was aware that tea and cof-fee prices had been falling but had not realised by how much. World market coffee prices have halved in three years and are now at their lowest level in 40 years. The price paid for tea has hardly changed since the 1970s— an effective decline of over 40%. As a result many tea pickers work in miserable con-ditions for low pay. If these facts alone were widely publi-cised I think they would have a big impact. Fairtrade buys cof-fee direct from farmer organi-sations and offers a guaranteed price, long-term contracts and credit terms to allow for in-vestment, and a premium for community development. Workers on Fairtrade tea plantations must have fair wages and decent working

conditions.”

“Kilkenny became a Fairtrade city in October along with Waterford, Cork and Kinsale. There are many other groups around the country working towards becoming Fairtrade towns and cities - I think it offers a chance to make changes in our own communi-ties that can have a global ef-fect. And it seems even Nestlé will be launching their Fair-trade coffee in Ireland in 2006. Looks like consumers always

get what they want!”

Well done to Margaret and all others who are working in this very practical way. For more see www.fairtrade.ie. You can con-tact Margaret directly at

Anthony McCarthy is a director of Rapoleum, an Irish bio-fuels company. He

joined Feasta in February ‘05. Anthony’s commitment to the challenge of

biofuel production is most impressive. It all began in 2002 when a group of

rural dwellers came together to investigate the possibility of local production

of liquid fuels. This community initiative was prompted by several imperatives:

• The need for alternative crops for farmers and rural industries de-

pendent upon farming

• Concern about the possibility of shortage of liquid fuels necessary for

rural transportation

• The need to power down from a high carbon economy due to the

problem of climate change.

Thus Wexford Renewable Fuels was formed. The group succeeded in attract-

ing grant aid to carry out research in Bavaria on a new method of producing

pure plant oil for use as a fuel in modified diesel engines. Several trips to Ger-

many later, they were convinced that rural, locally produced liquid bio-fuel

was commercially viable. With a grant from a local rural development agency,

a small pressing plant was set up.

The raw material for the bio-fuel is rapeseed. This is cold-pressed in

the local pressing plant and immediately fine filtered to produce pure plant oil

– trademarked Rapoleum. By-products are rapecake pellets (used as animal

feed, substituting imported soya meal) and straw. Use of the straw as a solid

bio-fuel is currently being investigated.

In 2003, the group was awarded a substantial grant, by Sustainable

Energy Ireland, to convert 100 vehicles to run on Rapoleum. At this point,

Biogreen Energy Products Ltd was formed. It has not all been plain sailing

however. “We lobbied the government to grant excise remission for our fuel

– although this was granted in the February 2004 Finance bill, it took eighteen

months for this to become law and take effect”, explains Anthony. “We re-

ceived the tax rebate at long last on 3rd August 2005. The delay had severe

effects on our cashflow and nearly bankrupted us.”

Despite this setback, Anthony remains upbeat about the company’s

future: “Since starting commercial production in August this year we have

produced about 250,000 litres of Rapoleum, and we have enough seed in

stock to meet our production target for the next twelve months. We expect

to be able to produce 4,000.000 litres in 2006/2007 - but this is dependant

upon finding enough farmers to grow the crop.”

These are indeed remarkable achievements for a group that came together less

than five years ago. For engine modification kits or to buy the biofuel, see

www.rapoleum.com

Page 8

Feasta Members Feature - changing the world one day at a time

Wexford group develops biofuel Rapoleum

“Rural, locally

produced liquid

biofuel was

commercially

viable”

Continued from page 6

On Monday 21st November at the Davenport hotel in Dublin, writer and thinker Roger Levett gave a very interesting presentation en-titled ‘How to Live Well Without Carbon – De-couple Life Satisfaction from Economic Growth, as well as Economy from the Envi-ronment’. Over a hundred people turned out for this lecture, which was pre-ceded by FEASTA’s presen-tation of the inaugural Anne

Behan award.

Levett opened with the stated aim of showing that living without carbon is “necessary, possible and will make life better”. He rea-

soned that we will have to cut greenhouse gas emis-sions by even more than is estimated if we are to stabi-lise the earth’s atmosphere – and went on to show why he believes this is attainable. Essentially Levett advocates ‘top-down’ political solu-tions to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions. This approach no doubt stems from his work as a consultant to UK govern-ment and local authorities. He also was very clear on the need for a holistic ap-proach – we must consider ‘societies, environment and economies together’ and the interaction between

them. It inspired respect to see how thoroughly he has embraced the complexity of real systems - and he illus-trated his point on the ten-dency of a feedback loop to reinforce itself in a witty & entertaining style. Both vi-cious and virtuous circles were considered, in the context of lifestyle choices, transport, planning and the social contract between

citizen and state.

This was an enjoya-bly informative evening, stimulating much discussion among those present. For notes from the lecture, please contact the FEASTA

office.

Planning for the Future Now - Building Sustainable Local Communities

councillors from local au-thorities, and a number of interested FEASTA mem-bers. One delegate flew in from Canada for the event! David Healy chaired the opening session, introduced speakers and delegates and gave some background on FEASTA’s work on policy issues. Dr Leyden then posed the question ‘Does neighbourhood & commu-

nity design matter?’

In answering this question, Leyden focused on an urban context, and iden-tified key factors that en-hance quality of life. He de-scribed the concept of the ‘complete neighbourhood’– one that is pedestrian ori-

ented and mixed use, ena-bling residents to walk to shops, schools and work-places. Also highlighted was the importance of bringing people together in public places – for example cafes, parks & commons. All too frequently shopping malls & centres provide primary public space. Other hall-marks of the complete neighbourhood are multiple public transport options, as well as a sense of privacy and peace in proximity to

services.

Leyden went on to review the development of the car-oriented built envi-ronment, which came to dominate in the post World

Following on from the FEASTA Annual Lecture (see above), a half day workshop ‘Planning for the Future Now – Building Sus-tainable Local Communities’ took place on Tuesday 22nd November at the Mont Clare hotel, Dublin. The workshop was co-hosted by Roger Levett and Dr. Kevin Leyden. Dr. Leyden is a member of the FEASTA/EPA Transport research team. His current research examines how the built en-vironment affects individuals socially, politically, and

physically.

The workshop was well attended. The delegates were mostly planners and

How To Live Well Without Carbon

Report from Feasta Annual Lecture

Page 9 Winter 05/06

“we must consider

societies,

environment and

economies

together”

Page 10

War II era. This has resulted in low-density urban sprawl taking up agricultural land, and the tendency towards single use zoning thus separating daily life into component parts. Referring to the work of Prof. Robert Putnam (Bowling Alone - The Collapse and Revival of American Com-munity), Leyden then explored how neighbourhood design affects social capital. He noted that the car dependent suburban model of development puts families under financial pressure, encourages car and television usage and life inside the home, rather than interaction with neighbours. He illustrated his points with examples from Galway & the USA. Leyden’s work on the relationship between neighborhood design and social capital in Galway was published

in the American Journal of Public Health (September, 2003).

Sustainability consultant Roger Levett then spoke, outlining the political context in which such ‘complete neighbourhoods’ may be developed. The current situation has oc-curred unintentionally, as a result of individual choices creating feedback loops – such as in-creased car usage making roads hostile to pedestrians and buses, which in turn results in in-creased car use. Similar feedback loops result in the relocation of shops in car dependent re-tail parks rather than town centres. Again Levett emphasised that we can’t rely on individual choice to take us in the direction we want to go. He referred to the market as not so much an invisible hand as an invisi-ble elbow – pushing us into a corner that none of us wants to be in. Politically therefore, collective management is the

answer.

Levett took the de-velopment of Vauban, Freiburg in Germany as a case study. This fully func-tioning sustainable urban neighbourhood was made possible through public sec-tor intervention and the en-forcement of a strict devel-opment framework. (You may wish to visit www.vauban.de for more on this.) He noted that although the project was not geared towards profit making, it became profitable due to the high de-mand for plots on the site. Levett believes that what we chose within a context is not neces-sarily a guide to the sort of context we’d like to live in – for example, although an individual chooses to drive to town, that same individual may also welcome a ban on cars in town if

there were an efficient public transit system.

There was much response from the delegates to the presentations, such that the workshop was extended by two hours to facilitate further discussion. A number of presenta-tions on current projects in Ireland were made, and the group resolved to form a contact list and keep abreast of sustainable development trends. Representatives from Dublin City Coun-cil, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, Cork County Council, Fingal County Council, Roscommon County Council and Clare County Council were among those who attended the

workshop.

A Better Choice of Choice - Quality of life, consumption and economic growth by Roger Levett is

available from Feasta for only €10, while stocks last.

“Politically,

collective

management is

the answer” Vauban, Freiburg - A recently developed sustainable urban neighbourhood

Live Well Without Carbon.

“We’re very pleased”, said Michael Tre-anor of Truagh Develop-ment Association. “It is great to have all our hard work acknowledged and we hope it will show others how they can strengthen

their own communities”.

Anne Behan was a key member of Feasta. She

Truagh Development Asso-ciation were honoured with the inaugural Anne Behan award for outstanding con-tribution to the economic, social, cultural and environ-mental sustainability of their area. Truagh beat finalists GAP Ballymun and Longford Environmental Alliance to clinch the award, which was presented prior to Roger Levett’s lecture on How to

died on 1st February, St. Brigid’s Day, 2004. Her life was dedicated to environ-mental awareness and edu-cation, and to developing an integrated approach to-wards sustainable living in

communion with all life.

The winners of the inaugural Anne Behan award received a hand-carved bog oak bowl, and ongoing sup-

port services from Feasta.

Truagh Development Association Wins Anne Behan Award

Page 11 Winter 05/06

“we hope it will

show others how

they can

strengthen their

own

communities ”

In recent times, many rural communities are in decline. ENLIVEN is based on the premise that the tide may be

about to turn. As energy supplies grow scarce and more costly, this situation could create the circumstances in

which rural communities will again be able to grow by developing their local resources, particularly those of energy.

The ENLIVEN project will establish the prototype of a model process to develop renewable energy resources and

link them to energy networks serving rural villages. A specific objective is that by the end of 2011, the people of the

village cluster of Kilcormac, Ballyboy and Cadamstown will live and work in affordably warm buildings using

competitively priced heat and electricity from minigrids connected to small scale biogas, biomass, wind and hydro

turbines controlled by an smart feedback system of switches and meters.

The ENLIVEN project is a cross sector partnership led by Irish Rural Link. Partners are: Offaly County Council;

Feasta; Dundalk Institute of Technology; Methanogen; EOS Architects; Martin Langton, Developer; Pauric Davis and

Associates, Engineers; Michael Layden, Community Energy Consultant; Sean Riordan, Developer. For more see

http://www.feasta.org/documents/landhousing/enliven.htm

ENLIVEN - using renewable resources locally, intelligently and efficiently

The current directors of Feasta Ltd are

John Fitzgibbon, Joelle Grospelier, John

Jopling and Colin Nunan.

Feasta Executive are Bruce Darrell,

Richard Douthwaite, David Healy, Davie

Philip, Tom Campbell, Emer O’Siochru,

Deirdre De Burca, Roy Hicks and Enid

O’Dowd.

Feasta People Update on Feasta/EPA Projects

At the beginning of 2005, Feasta was awarded two EPA

(Environmental Protection Agency) research contracts. Results

from the work of the Energy research team, headed up by

Richard Douthwaite, can be seen at:

www.energyscenariosireland.com

Research on the Transport project is ongoing, and an

extension to the project has been sought. The Transport team,

led by David Healy, is examining the existing processes for the

evaluation of major road transport investment proposals.

Twenty-four FEASTA members spent an enjoyable and informative weekend in the Nano Nagle Centre, Mallow, Co. Cork, from Friday 7th to Sunday 9th October 2005. People arrived in the rain on Friday evening, and the documentary film, ‘Peak Oil – imposed by Nature’ viewed and enjoyed by all that evening. An Open Space process took place on Saturday morning, during which a number of presentations were made: - an eco-estate for Gaelic speakers in Co. Meath (Tomás O Maonaile), money systems (Richard Douthwaite), energy scenarios (Phoebe Bright), rural development (Emer O Siochru), Irish Doctors Envi-ronmental Association (Dr Philip Mi-

chael), Fairtrade (Margaret Irish) and a workshop on democracies also took

place.

Delicious produce - pumpkins, home-baking and eggs from the nuns’ organic farm – was sourced from the on-site Blackwater food market. The group bonded as they enjoyed a deli-cious meal in the White Deer Restau-rant in Mallow on Saturday evening. Throughout the weekend, Sr Lancia and her team proved them-selves to be excellent hosts.Prior to departure on Sunday evening the group took a walk along the river Blackwater (which flows through the grounds of the centre) enjoying the

peace and sense of place.

Mellow in Mallow - the Feasta Members Weekend

FEASTA Membership

Membership of Feasta gives you the opportunity to sup-

port our work and entitles you to twice yearly newslet-

ters, quarterly email bulletins and generous concessions

on our events and publications. If you are not a member,

please consider becoming one.

You can apply to join Feasta or renew your membership

online, credit card payment accepted. Alternatively,

please send a cheque or postal order along with your

name, address, telephone number/email and any specific

areas of interest to:

Feasta, 10a Lower Camden St, Dublin 2.

feasta@anu.ie, www.feasta.org

Annual Membership Rates

Individual €20

Concession (student, unwaged) €10

Voluntary Group/Organisation €30

Funded Group/Organisation €65

contribution at the end of 2005. This means a loss of income of €28,000 pa which must be made up, if activities at the pre-

sent level are to continue.

What we need is CORE FUNDING – money to keep our administration running – rather than funding for specific projects which is usually easier to find. Agencies such as Development Cooperation Ireland, Trocaire, Comhar and Sustainable Energy Ireland have contributed to specific pro-jects run by Feasta in the past but they cannot help with Feasta’s general running costs. These costs are very modest by current day standards. Our rent, heating, employer and public liability insurances, cleaning etc come to about €5,000 pa. Our regular salary bill including employers PRSI is just

under €34,000 pa.

The Feasta Executive has therefore written to mem-bers asking for their financial support. The ideal way forward is for members to pay a regular amount by standing order enabling Feasta to plan ahead. In this way Feasta is not reliant on any one donor. Obviously one off donations are also very welcome. Tax relief is available for donations of €250 or more in any tax year – whether paid in a lump sum or by standing order. Anyone who could contribute such an amount should contact the office for further information on

how the tax can be reclaimed.

The responses to our appeal are starting to arrive but there is a long way to go. We hope it won’t come to this but if we cannot obtain additional fund-ing to meet our basic costs, then Feasta activities will have to be curtailed and the job of at least one staff

member may not survive.

FEASTA Finances (continued from page 1)

Nano Nagle

Page 12