Transcript Going Local The Next Step toward a Green Economy

Going Local
The Next Step toward a Green Economy
Hayward Demos Democratic Club
Westminster Hills Church, Hayward
April 20, 2007
Bay Localize
Our Goal: To increase community livability and
local resilience while decreasing fossil fuel use.
Our Projects:
- Campaign for Bay Area Localization
- Localization Asset Map
- Rooftop Resources Project
In Context: Peak Oil & Gas
• World consumption today: 84M barrels/day
• World demand by 2025: 120M barrels/day
• ASPO predicts global oil peak in 2010
• Major oil finds peaked in ‘60s; in decline
• DOE-funded Hirsch report (2005),
GAO study (2007) confirm peak oil
• Peak natural gas in N. America as early
as 2007-’08; world gas peak likely by 2018
Implications of Dwindling Fossil Fuels
• Growing international conflict
over remaining energy supplies
Less of this…
• Shift from car-centered transport
to buses, rail, bicycles, walking
• Transition from petrochemicalbased products and derivatives
• Progressive reduction of imports
as shipping costs continue to rise
• Localization of food, energy,
water, manufacturing, finance
More of this…
Further possibilities…
What is localization?
Building the capacity of our communities to provide for our
own needs, sustainably and equitably, especially in key
areas like food, energy, water, manufacturing, and finance.
What are the benefits?
• Stronger local economies
• Improved environment (i.e., lower
greenhouse emissions, pollution)
• Balanced relationship between
human needs and local ecology
• Enhanced democratic self-governance
• Reduced dependence on oil and imported goods
• Greater readiness for supply disruptions/price spikes
• Healthier communities and sense of place
Campaign for Bay Area Localization
Collaborative effort among several area organizations to
build a more localized, resilient, and equitable economy.
Activities:
• Building a Resilient and
Equitable Bay Area report
• Public localization forums
at Oakland City Hall (2006),
U.C. Berkeley (June 2007)
• Food Policy Council
• Community Choice Energy Campaign
– Joint effort underway between Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland
– Goals: leverage buying power of cities to reach 50% renewable
energy mix by 2017 and achieve lower rates than PG&E
– Regional alliance working to educate public, push for adoption
Localization Asset Map
An online and print directory of local food, energy, and
materials reuse efforts underway throughout the Bay Area.
Purpose:
• Connect local organizers
and advocates with one another
• Direct new volunteers to localization
initiatives, projects, and programs
• Demonstrate what it means
to localize our economies
Rooftop Resources Project
Assessing the environmental and economic benefits of rooftop
gardens, renewable energy, and rainwater catchment systems,
while developing tools for people to start their own projects.
Activities:
• Monthly project meetings
• Neighborhood assessment
in Oakland’s Eastlake
• Pilot projects
– Berkeley EcoHouse
– Epicurious Garden
• Rooftop Resources Guide
• Green Jobs Forum (2008)
Bay Localize
Contact Us:
436 14th Street, Suite 1218
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 834-0420
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.baylocalize.org