HKD Transition

The group was started in 2009 by residents of the three villages of Hassocks, Keymer and Ditchling. Members also live in some neighbouring villages. Our aims are to work with everyone in our communities to create a sustainable future by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, reducing our carbon footprint and increasing our resilience to the changes that lie ahead.

What is Transition all about?

Transition Initiatives have been started in thousands of towns, villages and other communities around the world as a community-led response to the issues of climate change and fossil fuel depletion.

'Transition' is the process of shifting our communities to a more sustainable future, away from our current ways of living based on fossil fuels which emit high levels of greenhouse gases. All our key systems have been built around cheap oil - food, energy, economics, education, transport, textiles, health. In order to reduce our carbon footprint and energy use we have to look at every area and see how to do it in a different way.

Each of us as individuals must make changes, but the process of designing our 'energy descent' also requires a cooperative effort, in which many community members get involved, contribute their ideas and creativity and put their energy into change.

The Transition Network poses this crucial question:

"for all those aspects of life that this community needs in order to sustain itself and thrive, how do we significantly rebuild resilience (to mitigate the effects of Peak Oil and economic contraction) and drastically reduce carbon emissions (to mitigate the effects of Climate Change)?"

The ultimate goal for all Transition initiatives is to reduce their community's dependence on fossil fuel, increase resilience to withstand the pressures of climate change and peak oil, reduce their carbon footprint and increase community involvement and mutual support.

Transition Network website -- www.transitionnetwork.org

'The Transition concept is one of the big ideas of our time ... What I love about the Transition approach is that it is inspirational, harnessing hope instead of guilt and optimism instead of fear' Patrick Holden, Director of the Soil Association

Diary

July 18

Big Lunch. Don’t forget it’s big lunch time – why not organise one in your road? www.thebiglunch.com

July 19

Herbal walk with Sarah Furey. Meet at junction of Dale Avenue and Lodge Lane, Hassocks, for a walk to Butcher’s Wood. 7pm. £2. Children welcome and free. More details from Sarah at 01273 831446.

July 24

Seed Saving Course 10-2pm Whitehawk Community Food Project, Brighton.

This course will explain why it is important to save your own seeds, and will be covering in detail all the practical steps needed to go successfully from seed to seed. Details at http://tinyurl.com/2ullhna

August 6

Humanity at Heart, Hassocks, Recycling promotion. See details opposite.

September 4-6

Eco Skills Celebration. See details in story opposite and at www.ecoskillscelebration.co.uk/

September 26

Isn’t It Bonkers! 10am Climate change event, Downs Leisure Centre, Seaford. See details in newsletter or email seaford.bonkers@hotmail.com..