Living Earth: Gatherings for Deep Change
Hemlocks in SW Portland
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Community Powerdown Circles

Sunnyside Environmental School Auditorium
SE 34th and Salmon St., 7:00-8:30 pm

Powerdown Circles Schedule of Topics

February 7, 2006
Facing the End of Oil:
Fear of the Future
What are our fears of the volatile uncertainty, instability, and radical change facing our culture and the world in the coming years? And what are the possibilities we can help shape as change unfolds?
February 14, 2006
Home and Hearth
What are the likely impacts on our personal patterns and ways of living? How will our choices beaffected, and what tools, information, and skills do we need to develop? Download some food for thought to begin approaching this topic prior to the circle.
February 21, 2006
Economic and Financial Prospects
Both for individuals and society, what will happen to jobs, savings, investments, and to our ability to produce and procure goods and services? Can we re-design the goals and methods of our economic activities?
February 28, 2006
Bread and Water
How can we ensure adequate, fair supplies and distribution of food and potable water, so crucial to simple survival and cultural well-being?

The schedule for March through May

The implications of the end of cheap fuel are staggering. The scope of changes runs deep—economic, environmental, social, political—and the temptation to hide under the covers and ignore the issue can be strong. Even more dangerous is the counter-inclination to “bunker down” in a survivalist mode of escalating fear and isolation.

Community Powerdown Circles provide a forum to explore our complex responses to these challenges, and to share our knowledge, visions, and skills to create a positive future. Check the list of topics and join us. Questions, ideas, resource material, and personal expertise relevant to each session’s theme are welcome.

Discussions focus on the imperative for deep cultural change brought about by climate upheaval, geopolitical volatility, and the end of cheap fuel. Our goal is to encourage innovative, creative, community responses, and to develop the collective intelligence and vision that will enable us to create a future that is just, sustainable, safe, and joyful for all.

These circles evolved out of Living Earth's fall 2005 discussion series on Richard Heinberg's book "Powerdown:Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World." Many excellent resources are available at the library, bookstores, and online, and we encourage sharing of ideas, perspectives, tools, and talents as we move ahead.

The Powerdown Community Circle schedule for February is to the right; the next page has the schedule for the remainder of the series. Or download a PDF of the entire series schedule.

Highlights of the past Powerdown Circle meetings and ongoing discussions can be found here in the Powerdown Forum. Please feel free to read the entries and join the discussion!

Powerdown Circles are open to the public, free of charge; donations are appreciated.