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On 5th September I attended a workshop called “The Future of Food” at the Terra Madre food conference in Waterford. Facilitated by Colin Sage from University College Cork, the subject was, of course, about how we might feed ourselves without cheap oil and gas. I consider myself up to speed on Peak Oil, but this workshop really brought home to me the seriousness of the issue in relation to food supply. Make no mistake about it, food security will be the biggest challenge as we shift away from fossil fuels.
Last Saturday, 11th October was the first of our “for The Hands” events. It was a great success with over 25 people in attendance eager to learn how to start their own orchard. Monica Fleming gave an excellent overview on species, choosing a site, planting and pruning and we all got to sample some of her wonderful preserves, jams and pickles.
In the garden of Mullins Mill we planted a heritage apple tree, “Honey Ball”, an original Kilkenny variety, supplied by the wonderful Irish Seed Savers organisation. Many thanks to Xavier who manned the traditional apple press, provided by Camphill kyle, and, after a couple of false starts, pressed some juice for us all to drink afterwards.
Friends were made, skills were shared and people are going to start their own orchards. This is the essence of the transition process – building a sense of community and putting in place local resilience. Who knows, in five years time, when the first apples are ripening, we might look back on this day as the day when our “Great Re-skilling” began.
It was a wonderful day. Thanks to all who attended.
Here are some interesting seminars and workshops that you may wish to put in your diary. If you do attend please take notes so we can post a summary here afterwards.
Climate Change Lecture
Date: Tuesday, 21st October 2008
Venue: The Mansion House, Dublin
Time: 7.30 pm to 9.00pm
Booking: info@claraclark.ie
This lecture is being organised by the EPA. The speaker will be Dr Wilfried Haeberli, Director of the World Glacier Monitoring Service, which is based in Geneva. He will speak on recent trends in global glacier changes.
Dr Wilfried Haeberli, Director of the UNEP World Glacier Monitoring Service will outline the findings from the recently published UNEP report on Global Glacier Changes: Facts and Figures. This report presents information on the latest fluctuations of glaciers and ice caps and underlies the overall trend of glaciers retreat. The report confirms that the average annual melting rate of glaciers appears to have doubled after the turn of the millennium with record losses in 2006 for a key network of reference sites. Dr Haeberli will outline the significance of recent trends in ice retreat in terms of impacts on the environment, human health, natural hazards, water and energy supply.
Feeding the Future
A 2-day conference examining food security in post-peak oil Ireland
Date: Saturday & Sunday 25th & 26th October
Venue: Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Castlebar, Co Mayo
Time: 11am to 5.30 pm
Bookings: website / 087 6714075
Presentations, workshops, Q & A sessions, evening film session, information, networking opportunities
Topics include:
The Global Food Crisis: A 2008 Perspective; Implications of Fossil Food Depletion; The Increased Risks from GMOs; We’ve Been Here Before; Supply Chain Collapse; Re-Inventing Agriculture; Seeds, Nuts and Grains; Post-Oil Meat Production; Community Food Initiatives; Strategic Planning for Food Security
Cost: Special concessionary rate to general public: €5 per day | Organisations requiring receipted invoices: €50 for one day €75 for both days | CPD certs available at small additional cost
Organised under the auspices of the Sustainability Institute, Corrig Sandyhill Westport Co. Mayo
Climate Change Conference
Date: Friday 14th November 2008
Venue: Cork International Airport Hotel
Time: 8:55am to 5.45 pm
Bookings: online
In an era where the world faces unprecedented challenges due to the effects of climate change; scientific experts, professional institutions, business sectors, governments and individuals are mobilising on an international scale to deal with today’s problems and prepare for a tomorrow of new paradigms.
The Partnership for Change – Climate Change conference will be addressed by distinguished and leading international experts, speakers and panellists who will demonstrate the challenges facing humanity on an international, regional and local level, and provide essential advice on tackling climate change and planning for an uncertain future. This is a vital conference for any individual, public representative, business executive, engineer, scientist, planner, environmentalist, landscape architect, farmer, public health official, educationalist, NGO or voluntary organisation interested in climate change.
Proceeds from the conference will be donated to assist humanitarian, medical and environmental organisations working to help people in developing countries who live in absolute poverty and at immediate risk from climate chaos.
Christendom Active Gardens & Allotments
Are you interested in growing your own produce?
Christendom Active Gardens & Allotments are a community based initiative of the Ferrybank Socio Economic Development Committee. Our aim is to provide people with the opportunity to grow their own produce and share advice.
In conjunction with Kilkenny Allotment Association and with the support of the Waterford Food Producers Network the project aims to provide a 24 plot allotment in the Ferrybank area.
We need to demonstrate to Kilkenny County Council that local residents are interested in this initiative.
So if you are interested and would like more information please contact us
info@christendomgardens.com or 051 832 865 or visit our website
www.christendomgardens.com.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced gardener all are welcome.
Christendom Active Gardens & Allotments
Building a Better Community
Together
Apparently in the US right now there are shortages of gasoline in many states. This is a result of a loss in refinery capacity due to impacts of the hurricane season.
If there was a run on the pumps and everyone topped up their tanks the US would be out of Gasoline! Whilst not directly related to Peak Oil it is a sign of what might be around the corner here once depletion sets in in earnest.
At the recent Association for the Study or Peak Oil and Gas 2008 conference in the US, oil analyst Matt Simmons was interviewed about the gasoline shortages. It makes for interesting viewing.