So what do we do after the Copenhagen letdown? Meet the Transition Towns Movement

Climate change is a reality.
Copenhagen didn't bring the deal people all over the world hoped for. There's something to be said about the gap between what people want and what governments deliver.
The psychological "climate" after Copenhagen seems to be that of disappointment, pessimism and abandon. Yet, pessimism has never been a good ally.
There are already several other approaches to these issues in the world that may serve as examples. See how others see these issues through the "lenses" of the burgeoning transition towns movement:

Transition Towns are communities found in several countries already that attempt to change their functions having in mind the looming oil depletion, the peak oil phenomenon, the energy crisis and climate change. They volontarily turn to renewable energy, cut down consumption, place emphasis on local food and local goods in order to increase resilience and work to foster community in order to boost self-reliance and individual and community robustness and health. This can be achieved through identifying specific targets and reaching them, targets that aim to re-introduce a simpler way of life, less dependence on fossil fuel and local production. Ia a sense, this movement is a direct descendant to the Permaculture principles and attempts to bring transformation within existing communities.

Transition Towns Movement

A People's Declaration from Klimaforum09

Please sign the Not-done-yet campaign: not-done-yet! not-done-yet


In this picture from the People’s declaration for the climate meeting the text of the declaration is projected on the screen in draft form while it is being read and people can comment on it by suggesting additions and changes. You may find the final text here:A People’s Declaration from Klimaforum09


Here you can get an idea on the Copenhagen "climate" last week (8-13/12)!

TREE's brief initial report from the Copenhagen climate

Denmark after centuries of deforestation and transformation of its land into pastures has ended up with a completely altered landscape.Rivers have been diverted into straight lines and channeled into crop fields while many species of its fauna and flora have vanished forever.
Having said that, it also needs to be said that the Danes give lessons of sustainability these days to all of us on many other fronts. That includes renewable energy, urban mobility and transportation, strong social networks and good education. Today, a large percentage of citizens uses bicycles to move around town and much of the energy used is from renewable sources. These days, Copenhagen is host to the UN Climate Change Conference, an event of paramount significance for the future. People from everywhere are flocking in, including government officials, NGO representatives, activists and independent travelers.

Bella Center is the official headquarters where the COP15 proceedings are being held. Access is not easy to anyone without accreditation. The interesting meetings though take place at GDI, a sports center near the train station bustling with human energy. That's where NGOs and activists from all over the world hold meetings, conferences, exchange information and just generally network:
People's Climate Summit
On the other hand at Christiania, the independent community of Copenhagen, (for more on Christiania see http://www.christiania.org/) it is where the Climate Bottom Meeting: Windows of Hope is held.
There, a different type of approach is being developed: it is we, the people that need to empower ourselves in order to achieve both social and climate change.

Several cultural parallel events take place. The '' Rethink contemporary art and climate change event comprises of Rethink Kakotopia at the Nicolaj Copenhagen Contemporary Art Center, the Den Frie Centre for Contemporary Art and the Danish Art Gallery, Rethink Relations and Rethink the Implicit the produces an interesting link on the topic and art.

The COP15 event has a great significance for the future as everything is at stake. Also it means something else for everyone.
At one event taking place at DGI the Klimaforum 09 Declaration was being prepared. This text was being put together by people from many countries(many of them indigenous people)attempting to incorporate the ramifications of history of more than two centuries into the current state of things. Tomorrow (12/12) is the big march with an official estimate of at least 50.000 people from 516 organizations.
Climate March at the climate summit 12-12

TREE will be in Copenhagen

We will be able to bring back information on COP15 and the atmosphere of the global community in what affects our future.

The experimental forum Sustainable Nea Makri has begun. This forum attempts to function in a proactive fashion tackling issues that affect the area. This effort is supported by TREE and the entities DYNAMI POLITON-ΔΥΝΑΜΗ ΠΟΛΙΤΩΝ and SARCHA (School of Architecture for All). This experiment is an open call to everyone related to the area or the greater Eastern Attica region who is interested in participating in productive discussions and actions.
For more info and if you would like to participate you may apply
here.

Few Days left before the Copenhagen Climate change conference

Watch a video on the meaning and symbolism of the landscape design for the entrance to the Bella center where the COP15 events will take place: