Christopher

These factors are part of the natural selection that will always be part of life's systems. Just as a new animal may prove unfit for its environment by consuming its food supply to depletion, a structured society can easily do the same. We're going to see the eventual destruction of all non-sustainable practices and the continuation of those cultures and small communities that function in harmony with their environment and available resources.

Of course this great sifting of societies will not be easy, and with peak oil, it can happen very suddenly and soon. Its up to us, the people in the front car of the train, those that see it coming, to do everything we can to prepare ourselves and others to make this transition. At the very least, we need to be storing water, food and non-gmo seeds, but for a higher chance of survival, we need to set up more sustainable communities far away from large cities and start practicing living together. All the tools and techniques are available to us, its just going to take effort and some start up money to get more of them going.

I would love to see a concept like Burning Man be put into practice in a permanent and sustainable way. Instead of forming a closed, intentional community, we could set up the infrastructure needed to support both a permanent population and a steady influx of artists and social escapists. When visiting such a place, the public should have the option of paying to enjoy the fruits of the community, participating in the work necessary to maintain the community, or contributing a form of art as compensation for their stay. Of course these contributions would have to be approved by a board of curators and certain time limits would have to be included. This mixed system of exchange would encourage participation while still providing funds to maintain the property and pay back the initial investment.

Having a working example of our principles existing at the right distance outside the city will prove to be invaluable in the struggle to affect positive change within our current social system. The communities will provide training grounds for sustainable practices and serve as models for the reconstruction of our cities. The greatest gift this kind of open community provides is in its permanence. A person can be inspired by what they experience and immediately bring their friends back to enjoy and learn within a short time, allowing the exposure to concepts such as the gift economy and artistic sustainability to spread much faster than rate we see today, with events like Burning Man happening only once a year.

As far as climate change, peak oil could be good for it in the long run but its is probably already to late. Obviously smaller, independent communities living far away from coastlines will have much better chance than the sprawling cities with huge but vulnerable infrastructures. Unfortunately, a lot will have to do with luck, but in times of crisis, the initiative always passes to those best prepared. Good Luck!

Taran

On this and related subjects, I really enjoy this site:

www.environmentaldefense.org/