What POS is All About: Sustainability and Community Building

As we enter the era of peak oil, global warming, and the potentially catastrophic consequences these events portend, it is essential that we begin developing the social and economic infrastructure we will require to survive in a post petroleum world now.

That is because these two goals—our physical survival, and living in a world worth living in—require the same approach: re-localization.  This is the essence of what Post Oil Solutions is all about.

Re-localization basically involves two, interconnected approaches, sustainability and community building.

Sustainability is a process whereby people become increasingly self-reliant in meeting their basic needs, less dependent on the exports of a petroleum-based global economy. Essential systems, such as food, energy, transportation, money, culture, governance and the media become localized.  We learn to produce the goods and services we require to maintain our existence.

However, communities achieve this greater sustainability, not through a practice of rugged individualism, or a go-it-alone, survivalist mentality, but rather through group solidarity.  That is why community building, with its emphasis upon inclusion, cooperation, equity, collaboration, neighborliness, and mutual aid is equally important to POS.  It allows our transition into a post oil world to be an existence with heart.

As you explore our links, you will discover the several projects we are involved with that are designed to make us a more sustainable community, especially in the areas of food, energy, and transportation.  This is evident from our efforts to start community gardens and a winter farmers’ market, organize CSAs and a local food action conference, sponsor Localvore and “Curb Your Car” challenges, as well as promote renewable energy projects and a no-idling ordinance.

Less obvious, perhaps, but no less important, are our efforts to build community.  Some of these examples include our collaborative efforts with Brattleboro Climate Protection around a no-idle ordinance, the Brattleboro Area Farmers’ Market in realizing a winter farmers’ market, or the Bike/Ped Coalition with the “Curb Your Car” Challenge.  There are also the potluck dinners that are at the heart of our Localvore challenges, or the social gatherings of POS activists.  A major purpose of our monthly forum has been to bring us into contact with the larger community around our mutual concerns.

While modest, all of these efforts at sustainability and community building are the necessary first steps toward creating a civilized existence beyond petroleum.