EcolocityDC

The capital future begins now

Intentional community, permaculture, urban farming, local food, clean energy, biotecture, recycling, localization, green economy, Transition

Members

  • zach
  • Ayende Youmans
  • Stacy Fitzwater
  • lasitha
  • ishi
  • Rick Ruggles
  • Richard Hoye
  • Lisa Bregman
  • Kate Herrod
  • Kathy McNeely
  • Mikle
  • Loan Guerra
  • Denyette DePierro
  • Lindsay
  • Maude Bauschard
  • sky schultz
  • Sanjay
  • Steve
  • kat
  • Seth Long

Forget that this task of planet-saving is not possible in the time required. Don’t be put off by people who know what is not possible. Do what needs to be done, and check to see if it was impossible only after you are done.
~ Paul Hawken, Commencement Address May 2009





View my page on TRANSITION UNITED STATES

Energy Bulletin

Peak Oil Day

We are now approaching the first-year anniversary of Peak Oil Day. Where are we now? The global economy is in tatters, yet oil prices have recovered somewhat (they’re now about half what they were in July 2008). World energy consumption is down, world trade is down, the airline industry is shrinking, and most of the world’s automakers are on life support.

read more

On the darker side...waiting for the other shoe

The dark, wet days of early summer in the northeastern U.S. are fitting for how it seems many are feeling these days. As we've transitioned into a new season on the calendar, the weather hasn't followed suit. And as we've entered a new era after the economic crash of 2008 and the looming threats of climate change and peak resources, much of the world speaks not of these issues but guardedly anticipates a return to normalcy [sic]. I don't believe that's going to happen.

read more

Energy descent and transition in Mexico, part 1

“In Mexico nothing happens, until it happens.” This is an old proverb here, and it can also easily apply to the current situation. Everything feels tranquilo and smooth, as if it is nothing out of the ordinary. However, as history shows us, once something begins in Mexico, it generally develops rapidly, and can end up being intensely spectacular.

read more

Food & agriculture - July 6

Street Farmer
The WaPo serves up a food-politics column
Sustainable Food Blogs
Fears for the world's poor countries as the rich grab land to grow food
Interest in bees and chickens soars ahead of final Royal Show
Agriculture and Food in Crisis

read more

Renewables & efficiency - July 6

Renewable power? Not in your lifetime
Seven Paths to Our Energy Future
Wesley Clark: Ethanol's field general
Energy Secty Chu's alternative choice
Can I Clean Your Clock?
World`s largest cement firms slash production emissions by a third

read more

Music

 

Urgent action required of you

Rapid changes are taking place. Whether or not we accept peak oil, global warming, and climate change, increasing gas and food prices are an undeniable reality. Economic decline, financial meltdown, and the housing crisis have come together in a perfect storm that challenges us to make better choices. Responses range from survivalist homesteaders, earthship bioneers, and ecovillages to Transition towns and eco-cities.

The majority of the world's inhabitants live in urban areas. It would be impossible and disastrous for large numbers to seek refuge in the countryside. Cities therefore have to be made sustainable and not continue to be toxic to the biosphere. Many towns in Ireland, Britain, Australia and New Zealand have taken the initiative to transform themselves into Transition towns. Curitiba, Brazil is cited as being at the forefront of most sustainable cities. Cuba has been forced early into solutions by its own peak oil crisis when they lost Russian oil support. In the US, Portland, Oregon, San Francisco and Oakland in California, have begun the process of becoming ecocities.

The District of Columbia has a lot of catching up to do. While there are some admirable and necessary individual and municipal initiatives, they are too little, too late. The air quality in DC is one of the nation's worst despite extensive tree cover. The exigencies of our current national and global situation demand that urgent, drastic action be taken now. What is accomplished in DC, the capital of the US, will have far-reaching influence and tremendous impact in halting environmental decline.

Ecolocity is definitely about cross-fertilization; we don't know everything, nor have all the answers or can attempt everything. We will support anyone or group who we consider is doing good work. We don't wish to duplicate efforts, reinvent the wheel or compete. We're like connective tissue, trying to bind all the existing efforts together into a cohesive whole; or like stem cells which can morph into required structures and functions as the conditions require. Primarily we are interested in stimulating, catalyzing thinking leading to action that addresses specific issues rather than prolonged discussion, waiting on authorities and finding every reason why something cannot be done.

Our primary focus is making DC a Transition town, working with other groups to devise and implement an Energy Descent Action Plan to get DC more carbon-free by 2020. However, environmental considerations are not the only concerns. Human ecology is equally critical so we have to address the impact of decline on already vulnerable populations: the aged, homeless, unemployed and the infirm.

We intend to establish an intentional community in the District that will put into practice alternative solutions that can be spread to neighboring areas and ultimately be applied on a wider scale.


Wholeness

EARTH BEING Our organizing principle

Forum

Gerri

Permaculture & Transition: A Critique 1 Reply

Started by Gerri. Last reply by Larry Chang Jul 2.

Chantal Clement

Buying Club looking for Members?

Started by Chantal Clement Jun 16.

Shannon Brescher Shea

Transition Meeting Notes - June 9, 2009

Started by Shannon Brescher Shea Jun 14.

Ecolocitizen

DOWNLOADS 2 Replies

Started by Ecolocitizen. Last reply by Ecolocitizen Jun 11.

Latest Activity

ishi and zach are now friends7 hours ago
zach is attending Ecolocitizen's event8 hours ago
1st Tuesday: Food & Farming at Emergence Community Arts Collective
July 7, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
This will be our first Food & Farming meeting following Ecolocity's First Anniversary retreat when the group chose to focus on developing food systems. We'll review our position and determine how we should move forward. All foodies and food activ...
zach added a group9 hours ago
Calling all urban foragers, street salad chefs, tree climbers, berry hunters, backyard physicians, naturopaths, freegans and dumpster divers. Grab your pocket knife. Your skill and expertise is needed.
zach updated their profile9 hours ago
Seth Long updated their profile23 hours ago
Seth Long, Tarek Maassarani, Emily Gupta and 1 more joined EcolocityDC23 hours ago
UPDATE The second Potomac Potlatch held on July 4 2009, for fewer hours than the first, showed modest growth. Attendance increased due to simultaneous Vanguard Ranch CSA pickup. There were: 5 vendor registrations Ecolocity table sales/donations P...
Ecolocitizen added 2 blog postsyesterday

Blog Posts

Ecolocitizen

In Public Housing, Talking Up the Recycling Bin


Gloria Allen, 82, left, offered tips on recycling at General Grant Houses in Manhattan. She helped to start a movement to introduce recycling to the residents.

By MIREYA NAVARRO
Published: New York Times, July 3, 2009

Wearing a purple sweatsuit and leaning on a cane, Gloria Allen, 82, was hobbling down a hallway in a public housing project in Morningside Heights, knocking on doors and shou… Continue

Posted by Ecolocitizen on July 5, 2009 at 12:30pm

Ecolocitizen

Street Farmer or Will DC's Will Allen please step forward?

By ELIZABETH ROYTE
Published: New York Times, July 1, 2009

Will Allen, a farmer of Bunyonesque proportions, ascended a berm of wood chips and brewer’s mash and gently probed it with a pitchfork. “Look at this,” he said, pleased with the treasure he unearthed. A writhing mass of red worms dangled from his tines. He bent over, raked another section with his fingers and palmed a few beauties.

Continue

Posted by Ecolocitizen on July 2, 2009 at 4:01pm

Ecolocitizen

Postcard from Detroit

The following was posted to the Urban Permaculture Yahoo Group. It exemplifies what i call rhizomatous development, happening all over the place but not readily visible to the casual observer. It is what will save us. When the climax forest which is the current industrial model fails and falls, the underground will spring up in the clearing, converting its detritus, to take its place and establish a new biome.

Ah,.. Detroit. where do I start?
Tillon's video referenced by Carey below (http://vim… Continue

Posted by Ecolocitizen on June 21, 2009 at 9:59pm

Ecolocitizen

Urban Farming, a Bit Closer to the Sun


COVER CAP Maya Donelson tends the rooftop garden of Glide Memorial Church in San Francisco.

By MARIAN BURROS
Published New York Times: June 16, 2009

THIS summer, Tony Tomelden hopes to be making bloody marys at the Pug in Washington, D.C., with tomatoes and chilies grown above the bar, thanks to the city’s incentives for green roofs.

Mr. Tomelden, the Pug’s prin… Continue

Posted by Ecolocitizen on June 17, 2009 at 5:00pm

Ecolocitizen

Urban foraging

I don't know how much fruit and other edibles grow around the National Capital Area but can we get a local group going to collect and share urban bounty?


IT’S FREE Asiya Wadud, fruit foraging in Oakland, Calif.

By KIM SEVERSON
Published: New York Times, June 9, 2009

OAKLAND, Calif.

THE loquats were ripe and just begging to be picked.

But there was a problem.… Continue

Posted by Ecolocitizen on June 10, 2009 at 10:30am

Notes

Vanguard Ranch CSA shares available


You can buy a season’s worth of fresh produce and receive a weekly “share” for $40 per week. There are more than 30 different types produce to choose from. Each share will be approximately the size of a conventional grocery paper bag. Satisfaction is guaranteed.

Deliveries will extend for 16 weeks. ECAC will be a delivery point, a… Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Jun 12, 2009 at 9:30am. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Jun 12.

Transition Movie this weekend


The film ‘In Transition’ is now available for viewing, Friday 12th and Saturday 13th June 2009 only.  The version being screened is not the final version, it still has a sequence to add and some tidying up to do, but is almost there (you will need Quicktime on your computer)….  For more information on the film’s release click… Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Jun 11, 2009 at 11:10pm. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Jun 12.

Heathcote Permaculture course

Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Jun 5, 2009 at 4:24pm. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Jun 5.

Street Tree Planting


Street Tree Planting

UFA [Urban Forestry Admin

Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Jun 2, 2009 at 2:37pm. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Jun 2.

Great Reskilling: Preserving Time in a Bottle (or a Jar)



SAVOR LATER Eugenia Bone preserves asparagus.


Publish
Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen May 27, 2009 at 11:19am. Last updated by Ecolocitizen May 27.

New Transition book

The Transition Timeline: For a Local, Resilient Future (Paperback)

by Shaun Chamberlin (Author),Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen May 6, 2009 at 11:12am. Last updated by Ecolocitizen May 6.

Karma Kitchen DC


Imagine a restaurant where there are no prices on the menu and where the check reads $0.00 with only this footnote:

“Your meal was a gift from someone who came before you. We hope you will pay-it-forward however you wish.”

That is the concept behind

Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Mar 27, 2009 at 12:50pm. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Mar 27.

New community garden

There is a new community garden forming in the Eckington/Bloomingdale neighborhoods. If you are looking for a place to garden this spring, you can join by attending a meeting this Saturday, February 28th at 2 pm at Big Bear (the corner of 1st and R, NW) in Bloomingdale to discuss the garden. Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Feb 26, 2009 at 10:39pm. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Feb 27.

Environmental Film Festival in the Nation's Capital


2009 Festival

March 11-22, 2009

17th Year, 52 Venues, 136 Films, 24,000+ Filmgoers


Continue

Created by Ecolocitizen Feb 15, 2009 at 10:44pm. Last updated by Ecolocitizen Feb 16.

Urban Food Foraging article

Continue

Created by Gerri Feb 2, 2009 at 9:03pm. Last updated by Gerri Feb 3.

 
 

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formerly 7th Street Garden

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