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<DIV><FONT face=Arial>Alex wrote:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>> The emphasis on "survival" is appropriate. Another
term we could use<BR>> "sustainability" has unfortunately been debased by
over-use.<BR><BR>> I would attend, does anyone have ideas on
speakers/panelists</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial>> for the various segments?<BR><BR>> I could forward
this to a national oil peak list and see what people think.<BR><BR>>
Alex<BR>> O4O4873828</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Just thinking a bit more again about the
'survival' conference. Shouldn't we spend the first half day setting the scene
on why we can't take our present modes of survival for granted into the future?
That is, we need to consider the threats and risks from peak oil, climate
change, biodiversity loss, soil degradation, overpopulation, political and
environmental refugees, water shortage, a pandemic, food (in)security and a host
of others.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Once we have established the likelihood of a
need for change, then people will be ready for the second part of the conference
which will be on societal / national / community / family and individual
preparations. In fact many older people will not be too interested in relocating
to the country (which is a rather individualistic approach and not financially
viable for many Australians). This option poses massive ecological risks if
newcomers end up causing erosion, felling trees, building fences, disturbing
wildlife, increasing bushfire risk and otherwise
despoiling Australia's fragile ecologies. There are many other reasons
to favour the idea of ruralization (that is, in fostering communities of up to
30,000 - the size of the mediaeval city states) over the idea of individuals
heading off to the hinterland and trying to do everything for
themselves.</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Folke Gunther has written extensively on this
approach - see for example his PowerPoint:</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2><A
href="http://www.holon.se/folke/lectures/Ruralisation-filer/v3_document.htm">http://www.holon.se/folke/lectures/Ruralisation-filer/v3_document.htm</A></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>It's possible that the 'survival' conference
should follow a couple of other conferences:</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>The first would be one that runs through the
risks (examples above).</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>The second would look at ways to prevent,
mitigate, ameliorate the damage to the biosphere, human health and society
(these would range from individual action through to government
action)</FONT></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>The third would look at ways to adapt to the
future. Going bush might be one of these, but it's just one. If we all go bush
Australia will be swamped by immigrants eager to join us in the good
life!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Keith Thomas</FONT></DIV>
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