Graded Online Discussion 2

Graded Online Discussion 2

Several communities engage in multiple initiatives that are aimed at ensuring sustainable development. Concerning transition towns, the communities that embark on such initiatives do so to provide they attain ecological sufficiency. In this regard, these communities carry out activities that would ensure that the current generation has enough for sustenance without put into risk the future generation (Stockholm Resilience Centre, 2013). Again, in the wake of the rising adverse climatic conditions and catastrophes emanating from environmental degradation, these communities embark on transition town initiatives to improve their resilience. Thus, the general idea behind the transition town initiative is to strengthen resilience, sustainability, and change in the utilization of resources.

The transition town initiative is a relatively new concept that is mostly practiced by a section of community members and is also plagued with multiple problems. The first challenge is that not many people are conversant with the assertions of the initiative. Being a relatively new initiative, most people in different communities do not fully understand the concept; hence aspects of marginalization arises (Roseland & Spiliotopoulou, 2016). Again, these initiatives lack the financial resources needed to ensure that any proposed recommendations are effectively implemented. Though there is some little input placed by different legislative bodies, there are little interventions by most governments in funding the projects of these initiatives.

Though there are several transition towns in the US, the Los Angeles transition town initiative remains the most relevant example in the contemporary world as far as the aspects of transition towns are concerned. The LA transition town initiative is focused on growing food, lawn renewal, and taking into account the contributions of soil extractions such as medicinal aspects towards the healthcare of individuals (Roseland & Spiliotopoulou, 2016). Though the communities in Los Angeles still faces challenges related to compliance and lack of sensitization, there are several interventions such as workshops and advocating for less stringent laws to improve the scope of the initiative.

Since its conception, the transition town initiative has resulted in an immense paradigm shift in the manner in which people perceive the interventions needed to address the growing effects of environmental degradation. Currently, most communities in different towns embark on various initiatives aimed at improving their resilience, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, and focus on the sustenance of the current and the future generations (Roseland & Spiliotopoulou, 2016). In that regard, I am confident that the current strides taken through these initiatives are one of the positive steps towards the right direction in addressing issues related to sustainability to a great extent.

Over the last few years since its conception, the transition town initiative has been focused on lowering carbon emissions and attaining a low carbon future regarding the use of fuel. However, in offering any recommendations, I would resort to the effective use of technology towards the use of technology in both the production of fuels as well as in curbing emissions. For instance, technology could be achieved in manufacturing filters that are vital for eradicating emissions as well as in generating fuel through other renewable sources. These could manifest through the use of solar and wind energy.

References

Stockholm Resilience Centre. (2013). Integrating social-ecological resilience into the new development agenda (Links to an external site.) (Multi-stakeholder Dialogue, Medellin, Colombia [2-4 December 2013]). Retrieved from http://www.stockholmresilience.org/

Roseland, M., & Spiliotopoulou, M. (2016). Converging Urban Agendas: Toward Healthy and Sustainable Communities (Links to an external site.). Social Sciences, 5(3), 28.