Hayward Demos Democratic ClubWestminster Hills Church, Hayward
April 20, 2007
Going LocalThe Next Step toward a Green
Economy
Bay Localize
Our Goal: To increase community livability and local resilience while decreasing fossil fuel use.
Our Projects:- Campaign for Bay Area Localization - Localization Asset Map- Rooftop Resources Project
In Context: Peak Oil & Gas• World consumption today: 84M barrels/day
• World demand by 2025: 120M barrels/day
• ASPO predicts global oil peak in 2010
• Major oil finds peaked in ‘60s; in decline
• DOE-funded Hirsch report (2005),GAO study (2007) confirm peak oil
• Peak natural gas in N. America as earlyas 2007-’08; world gas peak likely by 2018
Implications of Dwindling Fossil Fuels
• Growing international conflictover remaining energy supplies
• Shift from car-centered transportto buses, rail, bicycles, walking
• Transition from petrochemical-based products and derivatives
• Progressive reduction of importsas shipping costs continue to rise
• Localization of food, energy,water, manufacturing, finance
Less of this…
More of this…
Further possibilities…
What is localization?Building the capacity of our communities to provide for our own needs, sustainably and equitably, especially in key areas like food, energy, water, manufacturing, and finance.
What are the benefits?
• Stronger local economies
• Improved environment (i.e., lowergreenhouse emissions, pollution)
• Balanced relationship betweenhuman needs and local ecology
• Enhanced democratic self-governance
• Reduced dependence on oil and imported goods
• Greater readiness for supply disruptions/price spikes
• Healthier communities and sense of place
Campaign for Bay Area Localization
Collaborative effort among several area organizations to build a more localized, resilient, and equitable economy.
Activities:• Building a Resilient and
Equitable Bay Area report
• Public localization forumsat Oakland City Hall (2006),U.C. Berkeley (June 2007)
• Food Policy Council
• Community Choice Energy Campaign– Joint effort underway between Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland– Goals: leverage buying power of cities to reach 50%
renewable energy mix by 2017 and achieve lower rates than PG&E
– Regional alliance working to educate public, push for adoption
Localization Asset Map
An online and print directory of local food, energy, and materials reuse efforts underway throughout the Bay Area.
Purpose:
• Connect local organizersand advocates with one another
• Direct new volunteers to localizationinitiatives, projects, and programs
• Demonstrate what it meansto localize our economies
Rooftop Resources Project
Assessing the environmental and economic benefits of rooftop gardens, renewable energy, and rainwater catchment systems, while developing tools for people to start their own projects.
Activities:
• Monthly project meetings
• Neighborhood assessmentin Oakland’s Eastlake
• Pilot projects– Berkeley EcoHouse– Epicurious Garden
• Rooftop Resources Guide
• Green Jobs Forum (2008)
Bay Localize
Contact Us:436 14th Street, Suite 1218Oakland, CA 94612Tel: (510) 834-0420E-mail: [email protected]: www.baylocalize.org