Intentional Communities as a brace against peak oil

The triple threat of peak oil, global climate change, and economic uncertainty paints a pretty grim picture for the future.  Each of these issues on their own could have dramatic effects on a large scale.  Let's look at each, then talk about intentional communities as a hedge against their combined impact.

Most people are unaware of the problem of peak oil.  It will soon become as common a topic as global warming.  Peak oil is a supply/demand problem and a "flow rate" problem.  Demand for fossil fuels increases as the population expands and becomes more affluent.  More people in developing nations are able to afford to own a car - over 1 million cars are added to India's roads each year. So even if the world's population held steady, we'd still be in trouble as a billion people in the third world strive to join the first.



Here in first world we rely on cheap abundant oil for commuting to work, building houses, industrial agriculture, roads and bridges, air travel, international shipping, heating with natural gas, anything made with plastic or rubber, and about a million other items some of which we really need to maintain the quality of life we've become accustomed to.

When the primary component of all of these items begins to dry up, we have a supply/demand problem and prices rise.  When the pain will start is anyone's guess, but one thing is for certain: oil is a finite resource that we depend on.  Even the latest technology for  enhancing oil extraction can't bring enough online to satisfy growing demand.

Some peak oilers say that it is better to leave oil before it leaves us.  Lowering our personal carbon footprint by reducing the amount of fossil fuels we consume is one way to work towards that goal.  Other options follow.

As if peak oil wasn't enough we have a warming planet.  The consumption of oil has had a dramatic impact on global temperatures and climate.  Animal species are becoming extinct, ocean ecosystems are diminishing and we're clearcutting old growth forest causing soil erosion.  The effect we humans have had on the planet over the past 150 years is sad.

As the world warms, permafrost begins to thaw, releasing thousands of tonnes of methane into the atmosphere over a short period of time.  Methane is 20 times more potent a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.  Feedback loops like this have only just started being factored in to scientific predictions of future temperatures.

Rising temperatures along with changing precipitation patterns has made farming difficult and costly.  Crops can quickly be destroyed under the right circumstances causing food prices to increase.  The frequency and severity of tropical storms is another feature of this new world.

Finally, the global economy has been on a tailspin despite many national bailouts to big industries like auto manufacturing and additional infrastructure building incentives.  More people are losing their pensions than getting rich from the stock market.  Big companies operate without regard to human rights or environmental policies.  They do business wherever labour is cheapest in order to maximize the bottom line for shareholders.

There are many problems with today's economy.  By going global, we buy cheap electronics from the other hemisphere, and ship back e-waste to be used for childrens' toys and jewelry.

Forests and other resources are pillaged from undeveloped countries whose residents are left with destruction and decay of their environment.

There is some good news though.  You don't have to subscribe to this wasteful way of life.  A simpler, happier life can be achieved by making some small changes in your day to day lifestyle.  Take your home for example.  If you are sure you plan to stay in your current house for more than 5 years, it may make sense to replace your windows or upgrade the furnace now, rather than later. If you're in a job that you expect to keep for the long term, and live far away from it, consider moving closer to the office.  You can save time, money and the environment by shortening the commute.

Individuals can only do so much though, and that's where the idea of intentional community comes in.  This term evolved form eco-village and is a distant relative to a "commune".  Many intentional communities today are very casually organized and vary in size and type.

People benefit from sharing common assets in an IC, like gardens, a workshop, common areas or a dining hall.  A group can afford to purchase a large plot of land and can design their homes to take advantage of natural features of the site.

Some common questions arise about privacy, financial obligation, and other expectations of each member of an IC.  Often key principles and rules are written down and agreed to by all members.

Here is a great book on the subject of intentional communities:  Creating a Life Together Amazon link:

It goes through the common pitfalls, and provides examples and tools for building a successful eco community. Everything from how to make group decisions and resolve conflicts to legal structure and choosing land.

How does an intentional community hedge against peak oil?
How can an IC protect us from an uncertain economy?
What makes IC's better for the environment?
What social benefits do they offer?


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