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Local Future
Paths to Sustainability
Conference on
Michigan's Future - Nov. 14-16, 2008
"The Conference of Michigan's
Future: Energy, Economy & Environment" looks at the
challenges of the monetary crisis and the oil crisis and proposes realistic,
job creating solutions for Michigan.
Over two-dozen speakers are confirmed
including Richard Heinberg, Albert Bates, Ellen Brown, Paul Murray,
Tony Earley, and Jerry Norica.
If you care about Michigan's future, take a
moment to visit the conference web site,
and consider participating to help create a brand new vision for Future
Michigan.
Conference on
Peak Oil & Climate Change - Online
Local Future hosts the
International Conference on Peak Oil and Climate Change: Paths to
Sustainability.
The inaugural conference features 50 presenters including Richard Heinberg, Julian Darley, Dr. David Goodstein,
Megan Quinn Bachman, Stephanie Mills, and Pat Murphy.
NEW! -
Watch conference presentations & download podcasts
for free.
Introduction to
Local Future
Unemployment, inflation, war, peak
oil, climate change, biodiversity loss, overpopulation -- global problems that
need local solutions.
Local Future helps communities
develop
compassionate, sustainable, local, systems to provide jobs, food, energy, transportation,
and essential services.
Local Future Network members develop these systems by helping their
community to transition
from dependent units of the failed global economy; to independent cultures of compassionate, sustainable, local economy.
Global Problems
The global economic system creates problems which threaten
humanity and the planet:
- peak oil
- climate change
- over population
- resource depletion
- widespread pollution
- misallocation of power
- institutional cruelty
- economic instability
- environmental destruction
- geopolitical conflict & war
This unsustainable global economic system fails to protect
humans, the environment, and the natural systems on which all life depends.
It does not meet the long term goals of
civilization.
When a system fails to such a catastrophic
degree, it is time for change.
Local Solutions
New local systems must be developed that are
grounded in a value system of truth, compassion, understanding, sustainability, renewal and community. Developing new systems takes dedicated individuals who share the common value
system, walk a common path, and move towards a common vision of
the future. Local systems are needed to
provide:
- jobs - that are challenging, safe and
community oriented
- money -
community currency that creates jobs, motivates
progress and reinforces values
- food - that is nutritious, compassionate, sustainable, organic
and available year-round
- energy - heat, electricity and fuels
from renewable sun, wind, water and biomass sources
- transportation - utilizing ride
sharing, mass transit, community vehicles and human power
- homes
- safe, comfortable and welcoming, zero energy new homes and retrofits
- water - fresh, clean, free water that
is owned and managed locally
- waste management -
emphasizing reduce, reuse and recycling
- health care - high quality, low cost,
community based services and prevention
- education - local teachers dedicated to
providing continuing service
- security
- utilizing
open communication, problem solving, education and dialogue
- entertainment - opportunities for all
to participate and enjoy
- culture - celebrating diversity and history
- spirituality
- inviting all people to explore the deeper questions of life
Members of Local Future Network communicate and meet to learn, support,
plan, and act. They take the initiative to increase independence for
themselves and their communities. Their shared value
system of truth, compassion, understanding, sustainability, renewal and
community guides their actions toward a vision of a prosperous local future.
Join Local Future
You are invited to make the future a better
place.
Join the Local Future Network.
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