Cycling UK Forum

I hold my head in shame and offer this as a public service to jam05, if he is still listening.

http://www.transitiontowns.org/

I've read through some of the website info and it all looks like "commitees" "steering groups" etc.
I have to confess my eyes start to close when I read anything like this (whatever the cause).
I'm aware that I'm not the best person in the world in applying myself to such bodies as I,quite frankly, find them boring in the exteme,however it seems the gist is how does a community reduce its carbon foot print as a community.
The first thing a community needs to recognise IMO is that it is a community, first and formost,something we seem sadly lacking in this green and pleasant.
Then theres the question of politricktians(careful),bandwagons,etc.
And multinationals (who own politrickians)who's sole interest is profit.
We need a radical rethink on how we're governed IMHO.

Sorry its a bit of a ramble but it may spark this thread into life,which if it does may cause more carbon(sorry couldn't resist ).

I saw the original and thought it was not for me to coment on. I live in Birmingham and the idea of a local comunity round here seems to be of the gang culture. So do we try to tackle drug dealers knife/gun people or invite them to sit on a commitee about their dependance on oil. What in the carbon footprint of the bullets they use etc.

I noticed yesterday that Machynlleth, home of the Alternative Technology Centre is trying to become a Transit town. This is one of the reasons they're not too impressed with Tesco's attempt to plant a new superstore there.

Dont understand why they have to look so hard to find a reason to have a down on Tesco

It isn't only about peak oil, there is a strong aspect of building community and local sustainability among other things. From the POV of carbon footprint stuff though surely it can only be a good thing for cyclists to support?

Totnes is (apparently) the first transition town.

Tescos don't exactly support community spirit and local sustainability so it doesn't suprise me that a hopeful TT is against them killing off all the small local buisnesses TBH

Edwards wrote:I saw the original and thought it was not for me to coment on. I live in Birmingham and the idea of a local comunity round here seems to be of the gang culture. So do we try to tackle drug dealers knife/gun people or invite them to sit on a commitee about their dependance on oil. What in the carbon footprint of the bullets they use etc.

depressing but I know what you mean. At least in this area people feel that they have to 'save the planet' but think that they can do it by taking glass to the bottle bank in a 4½litre 4x4.

Tom Richardson wrote:

Edwards wrote:I saw the original and thought it was not for me to coment on. I live in Birmingham and the idea of a local comunity round here seems to be of the gang culture. So do we try to tackle drug dealers knife/gun people or invite them to sit on a commitee about their dependance on oil. What in the carbon footprint of the bullets they use etc.

depressing but I know what you mean. At least in this area people feel that they have to 'save the planet' but think that they can do it by taking glass to the bottle bank in a 4½litre 4x4.

And thats just what the oil companies want them to think,keep the people "thinking" they're doing the right thing whilst selling the product.

I can't see the government doing anything to dispel the myth!

Has anyone else noticed how many companies are painting the logos and shopfronts green Mc Donalds as an example?
Theres a lot more to marketing than meets the eye or should that be, theres no more to marketing than meets the eye.

I saw a headline the other day, on the cover of the 'New Scientist' (I think that was the title of the publication), whilst walking past the magzine rack in the supermarket. It read:

"Bowl of cereal has the same carbon footprint as driving 7km in a 4x4"

Got me thinking - if the "school run" for mummy and 2 skids is a 10km round trip, twice a day (20km total), and if for all 3 to cycle to school and back required an extra bowl of cornflakes to fuel up at breakfast (3 x 7km = 21km), then it is greener to keep using the 4x4.

JQ666 wrote:I saw a headline the other day, on the cover of the 'New Scientist' (I think that was the title of the publication), whilst walking past the magzine rack in the supermarket. It read:

"Bowl of cereal has the same carbon footprint as driving 7km in a 4x4"

Got me thinking - if the "school run" for mummy and 2 skids is a 10km round trip, twice a day (20km total), and if for all 3 to cycle to school and back required an extra bowl of cornflakes to fuel up at breakfast (3 x 7km = 21km), then it is greener to keep using the 4x4.

Only if the 4x4 is painted green though

JQ666 wrote:I saw a headline the other day, on the cover of the 'New Scientist' (I think that was the title of the publication), whilst walking past the magzine rack in the supermarket. It read:

"Bowl of cereal has the same carbon footprint as driving 7km in a 4x4"

Got me thinking - if the "school run" for mummy and 2 skids is a 10km round trip, twice a day (20km total), and if for all 3 to cycle to school and back required an extra bowl of cornflakes to fuel up at breakfast (3 x 7km = 21km), then it is greener to keep using the 4x4.

it was making the point about the carbon footprint of cereal - tractor fuel and all that.
It assumed a small 4x4 which would never do for the school run (need a big 4x4 for the five seats and you never know when it might snow)

Tom Richardson wrote:

JQ666 wrote:I saw a headline the other day, on the cover of the 'New Scientist' (I think that was the title of the publication), whilst walking past the magzine rack in the supermarket. It read:

"Bowl of cereal has the same carbon footprint as driving 7km in a 4x4"

Got me thinking - if the "school run" for mummy and 2 skids is a 10km round trip, twice a day (20km total), and if for all 3 to cycle to school and back required an extra bowl of cornflakes to fuel up at breakfast (3 x 7km = 21km), then it is greener to keep using the 4x4.

it was making the point about the carbon footprint of cereal - tractor fuel and all that.

I'm aware that must be the case, and my comment is very tongue-in-cheek, but on a serious note I am making the point that the carbon problem (if indeed the problem is a big as we're being told) is very complicated, and to solve it will take a total reorganising of our economy (even to the level of how money is created). That's not going to happen!

JQ666 wrote:

Tom Richardson wrote:

JQ666 wrote:I saw a headline the other day, on the cover of the 'New Scientist' (I think that was the title of the publication), whilst walking past the magzine rack in the supermarket. It read:

"Bowl of cereal has the same carbon footprint as driving 7km in a 4x4"

Got me thinking - if the "school run" for mummy and 2 skids is a 10km round trip, twice a day (20km total), and if for all 3 to cycle to school and back required an extra bowl of cornflakes to fuel up at breakfast (3 x 7km = 21km), then it is greener to keep using the 4x4.

it was making the point about the carbon footprint of cereal - tractor fuel and all that.

I'm aware that must be the case, and my comment is very tongue-in-cheek, but on a serious note I am making the point that the carbon problem (if indeed the problem is a big as we're being told) is very complicated, and to solve it will take a total reorganising of our economy (even to the level of how money is created). That's not going to happen!

Marketing is a devious industry

I think it's a bit more down to earth than some might credit. Brixton is a transition town, and the building of a consensus (sp?) arround that idea has assisted in the redesign of the High Street and the roads to the south - a redesign that will give more space to pedestrians, help local business, and prioritise bus travel.

Simon L6 wrote:... consensus (sp?) arround ...

consensus arround (sp?)

Unfortunatly the web site does seem to stress peak oil production. Those of us that do not know any of the towns can only go by the first link.
It does not inspire people to read on, unless you are already dedicated to the cause.