Local Currencies For Low Carbon Living
Transition Culture Encourages Communities, Sustains Micro-Economy
Sep 11, 2008
Minting money has enabled trade from the earliest times, but now some towns are going back in time to support their local micro-economy with local currencies.
Early Economics
Early in human history, goods and services were bartered - your hand axe for the berries and roots I've just gathered. As trade expanded, money developed as a more portable and durable medium of exchange. It was easier to carry metal, and later paper, tokens representing an agreed value than to transport beasts or goods across huge distances to make a swap. But the need to transport goods is the basis of our high-carbon economy, driving climate change. Transition culture offers a brand new approach to the problem. The ancient practice of minting your own money is part of a new breed of local activism, seeking ethical and sustainable living.
British Towns Make Money
The historic town of Lewes, in Sussex, has always been independent-minded. There were two Saxon mints in the town before the Norman invasion of Britain, and the conquerors carried on the tradition. Lewes had its own 'Lewes pound' from 1789 to 1895, when local banknotes were discontinued throughout the UK in favour of the national issue. On May 12, 2008, BBC News reported that Lewes has revived its own currency.
Inspired by the Devon town of Totnes, which introduced its own currency in 2007, Lewes has joined the Transition Network. This seeks to lessen the impact of rising oil prices and consumption by buying and using more goods and services close to home. The local paper, the Argus, reported on September 9 2008 that Transition Town Lewes wants to create sustainable local businesses and provide jobs, as well as reducing environmental impact.
Transition Towns Worldwide
Transition is spreading fast. Totnes became the first transition town in September 2006. Fujino, Japan, became the 100th in September 2008. Communities in each transition town commit to move from a high-carbon economy to a low-carbon one over a period of 10 to 20 years. Over 900 more towns are currently considering this approach. This includes the fictional town of Ambridge, home of the BBC's longrunning radio series The Archers, which has been a barometer of British attitudes for over 50 years.
Origin of Transition Culture
Rob Hopkins came up with the basic idea of transition culture while lecturing on sustainable living in Kinsale, Ireland. He and his class devised an energy action plan which was adopted by the local council. When Hopkins came back to the United Kingdom, he started the same ideas working in Totnes. He told The Guardian's Sarah Lewis on September 10, 2008:"[It's] a very simple idea... But... it really grips hold of people. Rebuilding our communities is going to be pivotal in the next 10 to 15 years."
How Transition Works
The Transition Network offers communities support in implementing its 12-step guide to a low carbon economy. The first step is to set up a local steering group, to move the project on through raising awareness, acquiring skills and liaising with local authorities. This leads to a unique energy action plan tailored to the needs of the specific community.
Instead of pointing fingers and assigning blame, the movement looks for opportunities to improve things. Its adherents have described it as "a party rather than a protest march". But this is no lightweight, attention-grabbing media circus. The movement is gathering support worldwide from city and state authorities as well as communities.
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