====== Self sustaining, autonomous systems ======

//Notes from a session held at the Luminous Green Retreat, 28th of April 2007//

== Matter ==
  * Consider Life Span
  * Overall energy balance = relative concept
  * Acoustic spectrum of new forests as compared to old growth
  * Cotton -> natural fabric, yet causes many other environmental problems
  * No simple equation between natural & ecological
  * Core Criteria for a Green world -> BioDiversity
  * Low level -> indication of overfed (capitalist) system
  * Biological diversity in 'low nutrient environments'
  * Surges of nutrients -> emergence of monocultures 

== Market ==
  * Consumption has to be reduced
  * Expecting growth of 'green collar' jobs for in service industries (USA)
  * NZ project which present power consumption of cities on TV
  * designing games to encourage agency re. these
  * deceleration
  * how to counter idea of exponential growth / constant acceleration
  * how to 'justify doing less'
  * doing less -> ephemeralization
  * how to change a neo-liberal economic system
  * offer choice, as cheap as possible
  * tyranny of choice
  * gradual persuasion rather than revolution
  * evolutionary strategies
  * augmented with intelligence / education
  * debates now on the table re. agricultural methods, biofuels, etc+
  * a lot of behind the scenes action
  * persuasion through branding /design/etc+
    * rebranding of chiquita -> campaign of antagonism
    * smart cars
      * visibility -> succesful
      * daimler chrysler -> seen as financial failure 
  * human perspective
    * capacities for development
    * motivation ->
      * how to encourage self development ->
      * education as viral, rather than institutional 

== [...] ==
  * personal power generation
    * discounts for power production at health clubs
    * various types of discomfort
    * future 4th warrior 
  * EC parliament relocation -> 

== Action ==

  * "If it can be measured it can be managed"
  * Measuring is the key concept, this makes energy use visible and motivates people because they see the direct result of their actions
  * Awareness raising at any level is important and necessary
  * From measurement to understanding
  * Ad-hoc social enforcement
  * Making a step by step change
  * Responsive environments -> reinforcing sense of agency -> feedback
  * First step to any change is awareness,
    * Examples: The Watt Bug / DIY Kyoto 
  * We need a paradigm shift (ongoing in US at local level)
    * Away from linear thinking and competition
    * We need to change the capitalist system 
  * Green products: success depends on good design & comfort
  * Inner Consciousness has to be developed worldwide - education is crucial 

== What are the assumption being made? ==

  * "finding ways back to other species"
  * Many small efforts -> don't underestimate the effects of these
  * constituents -> shareholders -> consumers, etc+
  * gradual infiltration of conversations
  * moral / 'holier than thou'
  * vernacular values
  * gradual reinforcement
  * personal consumption becoming public ->
  * 300 cities in USA have agreed to meet kyoto requirements
  * much more low level, local activities 

== Ethics & beyond ==

  * What lifestyle do you want to maintain? - at what cost...
  * Recognize interconnectedness - reciprocal relationship with environment rather than consumption only.
  * From fundamental disconnection -> fundamental interconnectedness
  * Environmentalism as enlightened self-interest 

In field of design, the word ìethicalî has been hijacked (strong growth of 'green' shops (organic food...) Ethics as a philosophical -> marketing phrase

== What are persuasive lifestyles ==

  * bedzed (bioregional)/ zed factory
  * how has it progressed, are they willing to bring in new technology?
  * you can't "just despise the national grid"
    * reciprocal arrangement with the grid, power consumers. 
  * how does a pilot project scale?
  * reduced power consumption - 1/5th of avg. uk homes.
  * city planning
  * minority opinion re. most efficiency can be gained by knocking down all the houses an beginning again 

balance in an ecosystem ->

  * climate change has overtaken environmental debates
    * short term threats, deforestation, etc+ 
  * smaller initiatives
  * culture of decelleration ->
  * many initiatives are dealing with issues on the surface, 
     * not connected to the biosphere 
     * linearity of cause and effect.. .
     * the mindset 'we' are in is not those that are necessary to address these problems 

civilization as degrees of separation

difference between raising awareness about issues/ connectedness and imposing ideologies

High-brow people from the '1st' world talking of energy issues:

  * some decadence involved when 'feeling guilty using a hair dryer'
  * Often ppl who 'use most' have the least shame/guilt about their use
  * Seeing where one sits, within a whole -> aspiration rather than guilt
  * Challenges of emerging nations, how they fit into an emerging regulators system
  * How does the 'developed world' sit at the table / tell others how to live, without taking serious changes to our own lifestyles. 

Sources {incomplete}

  * http://www.zedfactory.com
  * Bernie Krauss, Bio-acoustician; www.truenorth.tv/soundoff_091502
  * http://www.diykyoto.com
  * http://worldchanging.com
  * Book: 'the last imaginary place'