why a community could engage in creating transition towns
There are varied reasons why a community could engage in creating transition towns. These are not limited to building community resilience, creating sustainability, reducing dependability on fossil fuels, and attaining self-sufficiency. The interventions are anchored on the collective approach to the community to achieve sustainability in the current context by resorting to sustainable practices that support the current and future generations in different ways (Transition Network, 2010). In that regard, a community’s engagement in a transition town initiatives are majorly anchored on the need to create a self-sufficient society, less dependence on the non-renewable energy, attain economic stability and reduce impacts of climate change.
In most cases, transitioning communities faces challenges of inclusivity, insufficient resources, lack of political goodwill, and opposition from the companies that deal with non-renewable energy (Yanarella, & Levine, 2014). In inclusivity, the communities still grapple with the needs to ensure that they effectively engage every individual in all quarters without marginalizing a section. In addressing the subject of lack of resources, the communities always rely on personal contributions and partnerships with other like-minded organizations (Transition Network, 2010). Lack of political goodwill and opposition from the companies dealing in non-renewable energy is addressed through initiatives such as lobbying and advocating as well as sensitizing the involved parties.
A perfect example of classical transition town borne out of the transition initiative is in Newcastle, England, where individuals embark on the transition streets aimed at converting streets and other essential aspects of the town to support sustainability and resilience (Yanarella, & Levine, 2014). The initiative has registered milestone strides in success through successful efforts such as improved housing, self-sufficiency through organic farming, initiating the solar power projects, and other initiatives that increase the resilience of individuals in the community. However, the transitional street initiative in Newcastle faces challenges such as poor financial support, adapting to the transitional models, lack of inclusivity, and indecision on where to focus the energy.
I believe that the transitional town movements are one of the essential steps in the right direction in alleviating dependence on resources that are harmful to the environment and other crucial elements of sustainability. Sustainable development entails engaging in initiatives that ensure sustainability, self-sufficiency, and improving resilience among individuals in a given community (Yanarella, & Levine, 2014). In that regard, most individuals in these communities often engage in such activities, such as using low-carbon energy, organic farming, and improving infrastructure and other essential components to enhance resilience. Thus, I believe these initiatives mark a positive step towards attaining sustainable development.
Several interventions could be put in place by individuals aiming at attaining a low-carbon future as long as transition town is concerned. The first recommendation would be to embark on using renewable energy over non-renewable fossil energy. The change could be attained through the use of solar energy, wind power, and avoid the reliance on coal and fossil fuels. The other step would entail reducing the manufacturing companies within the community. Most companies rely on non-renewable energy to run their operations (Transition Network, 2010). Therefore, by reducing their presence, there are high chances that carbon emissions would be immensely reduced.
References
Transition Network. (2010). A movement of communities coming together to reimagine and rebuild our world. https://transitionnetwork.org/
Yanarella, E.J., & Levine, R.S. (2014, August). From sustainability to resilience: Advance or retreat? Sustainability: The Journal of Record, 7(4), 197–208. doi: 10.1089/sus.2014.9782