The Exhibition of the draft Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) for Totnes & District wason view in Totnes in the first week of March at the Civic Hall.  All were welcome to come and view the draft plan, see what it feels like and add comments, participate in discussion groups during the exhibition and contribute ideas for this innovative plan.  On Thursday March 5th TTT hosted a 2030 Cocktail & Cabaret Night which gave a glimpse of how we might be entertaining ourselves in 2030.

The Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) 2030 will provide a route map of how we can build our local resilience in a community framework.  The TTT EDAP project is pulling together a plan for Totnes and the surrounding 16 parishes which will assist the local community of 22,000+ inhabitants in making the change to a less fossil fuel dependant society. A strong localized, resilient community is at the heart of the EDAP.  This recognizes that we can only make the changes happen by working together as a community which can function fully and relatively independently regardless of influence from further a-field

Unlike the usual plans we might see for local development, the EDAP is based on building community and resilience to ensure our needs will be met over the next 21 years rather the more familiar plans based on a model of continued (unsustainable) economic growth.  The EDAP takes into account the full implications of the depletion of petroleum (peak oil) and the likely impact of climate change and turns the difficulties these serious issues may pose into an opportunity for a better future. In this context it will provide a Plan B, a way forward that recognizes that we need a paradigm shift in how we live our lives.  

The twin themes of localization and building resilience underpin the EDAP.  Localisation means providing for our basic needs as locally as possible with local people actively engaged in determining and supporting how this takes place.  All plans and decisions are therefore centered on ensuring we can feed and house ourselves, work towards a comprehensive public transportation system and reduce our dependence on non-renewable fuel supplies for our energy.  Based on a framework of 15 key themes from Building & Construction, to Waste Matters, the EDAP tells the story of change across a 21 year timeline from a high fossil fuel system to a low fossil fuel dependence by 2030.  For example the EDAP identifies ways for local people to support our local economy through creating more local jobs, supporting local businesses including farms, and becoming generally a less consumer based, much more resourceful interlinked local society.  

Our Vision of 2030 has been creatively developed during the building of the EDAP.  Through a series of public workshops we have discussed our assumptions of what are likely to be the key drivers underpinning changes (e.g. population growth, renewable energy coming on stream).  We have collected people’s ‘visions’ of 2030  (so that we know where we want to be) and then by back-casting (working how to get there) have built the story of how we might reach this new place by 2030.  Like planning a holiday, first you plan where you want to be, then work out the journey, working backwards from the destination.

Business as usual is leading us into serious problems; Peak Oil and Climate Change are happening right now, so we have to change what we do starting today.  Please do get involved

For more information about the EDAP project, leaflets are available at the TTT offices and at Totnes Library or check the website at this link: http://totnes.transitionnetwork.org/EDAPsofar

Jacqi Hodgson
Energy Descent Pathways project Co-ordinator
Tel. (EDAP project direct line) 0560 153 8658
Mob. 079-22411266