Lumpkin Family Foundation

July 15, 2010

Building Resilient Communities

"…if we wait for the government, it’ll be too little, too late; if we act as individuals, it’ll be too little; but if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.“

Rob Hopkins

Four Assumptions

•Life with dramatically lower energy consumption is inevitable; better to plan for it

1.Our communities lack the resilience to weather severe energy shocks

2.We have to act collectively, and act now

2.A future with less oil (and other resources) can, if we fully apply our collective knowledge and skills, be preferable to the present.

A Transition Initiative is a community-led response to the pressures of climate change, fossil fuel depletion and economic contraction.

The shared lessons of resilience:

Radically lower energy and materials use

Relocalization of energy, food, economy

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Berea College

Sustainability and Environmental Studies (SENS)

The goal of SENS is to help its students acquire the knowledge and practical skills necessary to prosper in a world that faces unprecedented threats to environmental and economic well-being, while contributing to the development of resilient communities and a sustainable society.

…practical competence is an indispensable source of good thinking. Good thinking proceeds from the friction between reflective thought and real problems.

Aside from its effects on thinking, practical competence will be essential if sustainability requires that people must take an active part in rebuilding their homes, businesses, communities.

Shortening supply lines for food, energy, water, and materials – while recycling waste locally – implies a high degree of competence not necessary in a society dependent on central vendors and experts.

David Orr

Introduction to Sustainability

EnvironmentalJustice  Geographic Information Systems  Introduction toEcologicalDesign

AppropriateTechnologyDesignWorkshop

Building RenovationPracticum

EcologicalArchitecture

IntegratedEcologicalHousehold

Center for Campus and CommunityResilience

Community Problemsand Opportunities for Greater Resilience

AgricultureTechnologyWomen’s StudiesAppalachian Studies Other

Sustainable BereaOther community groups

SustainableAppalachian Communities

SENS Curriculum

VISION A vibrant, self-reliant city known for its strong local economy, regional food system, minimal use of fossil fuels, and engaged, skilled citizenry. MISSION To increase Berea’s resilience – its ability to withstand external economic and environmental shocks – by partnering with other community groups and individuals to re-localize our economy, food system, and energy sources while radically reducing the city’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Resilient Household Project

This is about a vision of how we want to be,

and designing a pathway

that makes people feel alive, positive, and full partners

in the process of transition.

Rob Hopkins

Lumpkin Foundation – recommendations to support transition

•Resilience of board and staff households•Resilience of Foundation operations•Support work that:a. Directly and immediately increases resilienceb. Replicable and expandablec. Affordabled. Leverages time, labor and skills of the community