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Bay Localize News #2 (Summer 2006)

A Reminder of Hope in an Urban Oasis

Dear friends,

On a recent mid-summer afternoon, I was reminded why there truly is hope for our future. The sun was shining, laughter was in the air, and dozens of people were harvesting vegetables, filling compost bins, and watering the many plants that now grace the Alemany Farm, a 4.5-acre oasis in the heart of San Francisco.

Everyone I talked with was painfully aware that our fossil-fueled days were numbered. But instead of ignoring the problem, we were getting our hands dirty, rediscovering our landbase, and enjoying the fruits of our labor. More importantly, we were building community -- restoring social bonds that have frayed from decades of consumerism and isolated living -- one seed, one person at a time. It was a beautiful day.

Bay Localize is honored to be part of this growing network of people and organizations that are bringing a new world into being. With this issue, we're proud to announce the draft release of Building a Resilient and Equitable Bay Area, a working report outlining a strategy toward creating a more self-reliant, socially just region. We're also moving full-steam ahead with two exciting new efforts: the Rooftop Resources Project and Localization Asset Map. Please read on for details and ways to get involved.

And thanks for helping build a revitalized, relocalized, and socially just Bay Area,

- Aaron Lehmer and the Bay Localize team


TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Building a Resilient and Equitable Bay Area Draft Report Released!

Since April, Bay Localize has been actively engaged in the Localization Strategy Initiative, a collaborative effort of prominent regional organizations working toward a coordinated economic localization plan for the 9-county Bay Area. In May and June, Bay Localize, Redefining Progress, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies (BALLE), the International Forum on Globalization (IFG), and San Francisco Post Carbon held a series of public meetings to begin organizing community-based projects, local business efforts, and public policy measures to advance local self-reliance and social equity.

Our working collaborative recently co-authored an extensive draft policy report entitled Building a Resilient and Equitable Bay Area, which assesses the potential for economic localization in the key sectors of energy, food, transportation, housing, manufacturing, and finance. We argue that a strategy that brings the production of vital goods and services closer to home is more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable than an approach based on corporate control and fossil fuel-driven globalization. The report also documents a series of success stories and outlines private sector initiatives and public policy measures that could generate a more resilient and socially just region.

The report is still in draft form as we continue to seek feedback from nonprofit and community-based organizations. A final release will take place later this fall, along with a press conference highlighting key examples of localization in practice as outlined in the report.

For the draft version of Building a Resilient and Equitable Bay Area, please visit:
http://www.regionalprogress.org/BuildingBayArea.pdf

Or to read the executive summary, log on to:
http://www.regionalprogress.org/images/docs/Localize_Executive_Summary.html

David Room and Richard Heinberg Present at S.F. Peak Oil Hearing

"Peak oil is not just a theory. This is something we've been observing for thirty years," said author and energy expert Richard Heinberg on July 28 at a San Francisco City Hall hearing on the city's vulnerability to energy price swings and plans for response.

As resource conflicts intensify in Asia, South America, and Africa, and unrest deepens in the Middle East, cities like San Francisco face an uncertain future. Not only do cities need to consider how they will continue to offer basic services as energy prices rise, but also how they can ensure a robust local economy that can withstand energy shocks and supply disruptions.

San Francisco is taking the first steps toward preparedness. The July hearing followed the Board of Supervisors' recent passage of a resolution acknowledging the "unprecedented challenge of peak oil" and the need for a comprehensive study to evaluate the city's vulnerability. Bay Localize ally San Francisco Oil Awareness (SFOA) lobbied for passage of the resolution and was instrumental in organizing the hearing.

Speaking to an overflowing audience, Heinberg kicked off the proceedings with an articulate outline of the state of world oil production, citing a wide range of industry and government sources arguing that a peak in global production is imminent.

David Room, of Bay Localize and Energy Preparedness, followed with a presentation on strategies that municipalities should consider as part of a set of appropriate responses. Room pointed out the serious financial complications that cities will need to address as petroleum supplies decline and prices escalate, which will likely include declining city revenues and rising operating costs. He described energy preparedness is an analogue to disaster preparedness, and offered a framework of "Mitigate, Commit, and Reengineer."

The July hearing was the first in a series to be held over the course of the coming months. Those concerned with building an environmentally sound, socially just, and viable San Francisco should contact S.F. Oil Awareness at sfoa@sfbayoil.org.

ALERT: Protect Your Community's Right to Control Genetically Modified Seeds!

What if the state government decided to curb your right to control your community's agricultural heritage? Sadly, a bill introduced by California State Senator Dean Florez (SB 1056) would do just that -- effectively giving major agribusiness corporations greater power to influence state and local food policy. Although the Assembly already passed the bill on August 24, it can still be stopped
in the Senate.

In essence, SB 1056 would prevent local citizens and governments from legally addressing the use of genetically modified seeds in their communities by curtailing their authority to regulate seed and crops. This bill would concentrate all power to regulate seed technology to the State of California and prohibit local county ballot initiatives and/or ordinances adopted by county supervisors that seek to restrict or ban the use of genetically engineered crops and seeds.

There is still time to call or write your State Senator and urge him/her to oppose SB 1056. Immediate action is needed before the end of August! For more information and to contact your elected state representatives, visit the Californians for GE-Free Agriculture action alert at http://www.calgefree.org/preemption.shtml

Rooftop Resources Project to Assess Urban Food, Energy, and Water Potential

It is often recognized that necessity is the mother of invention. Bay Localize is working to meet the inevitable needs that the growing impacts of global warming and peak oil are predicted to create. Within this context, we see enormous opportunities for creating reliable local supplies of food, water, and energy.

In the urban environment, one of the biggest untapped solutions is staring us in the face: urban rooftops. Knowing that we will need to maximize our use of valuable urban spaces into the 21st century, Bay Localize has launched the Rooftop Resources Project to investigate how urban rooftops could be used to generate food, water and electricity. Although such systems are not a new concept, the feasibility and appropriate application to the Bay Area is relatively unknown.

Through our initial research of building codes, city jurisdiction issues, and liability factors, we have uncovered multiple stories of people who have submitted design plans for rooftop gardens in Oakland, only to be declined by their landlords. Meanwhile, successful examples of roof top gardens in Cuba, The RoofTop Project of Santropol Roulant, and Alternatives in Canada as wellas the the Tree People's rainwater catchment systems of Los Angeles all show that such approaches can be extremely beneficial.

Seeing great potential for similar projects here in the Bay Area, Bay Localize's Rooftop Resources Project is putting relocalization into practice through research and development of rooftop veggie, fruit and herb gardens, solar electric systems, and rainwater catchment systems. The project will be conducted in three phases: (1) assess a sampling of common commercial and residential rooftops in the central Bay Area to determine the feasibility, productivity, economic and socio-environmental benefits from integrated rooftop systems; (2) publish a practical guide for property owners, tenants, and developers for development of a rooftop project; and (3) partner with several key organizations in the Bay Area to develop one or more pilot projects to study first-hand the challenges, opportunities, and benefits of rooftop systems. Bay Localize intends the project to catalyze the mainstream development of these systems, and to increase access for people and organizations seeking to implement them.

Get Involved! Contact project leader Ingrid Severson at ingrid@baylocalize.org.

 

Localization Asset Map Project to Build Interactive Tool for Local Groups

Over the next year, Bay Localize will create a Localization Asset Map of regional initiatives and organizations. The map, and the process of developing it, will serve a number of important purposes: (1) identifying relocalization activities, (2) connecting existing efforts and building bridges between different types of work, and (3) developing an educational tool for newcomers to relocalization. In so doing, the map will help build momentum in the movement towards a more self-reliant, sustainable, and socially just Bay Area.

In many ways, relocalization is a nascent concept, showing great promise as a new paradigm for communities but still in need of clearer definition. Discussions at project meetings have already begun to crystallize a range of conceptions into a unified, cohesive definition, and we continue to improve our understanding of what is powerful about the relocalization vision. The directory of initiatives and organizations that will be included with the map will demonstrate what relocalization means in a more tangible way, providing examples of what is happening "on the ground."

The Localization Asset Map will be produced in both print and online versions. The fundamental input for the map will take the form of a database of a projected 125 initiatives across the nine-county Bay Area, focused on activities that involve local food, renewable energy, and closed-loop manufacturing. A directory of these initiatives, including contact information and a brief description of each, will be published on the map. A color print version will be produced for limited distribution, with a particular emphasis on distribution to those with limited access to online communications and to outlets for display. The online version will exhibit additional features, including a searchable directory by focus area, county, and other criteria. Finally, the map will be periodically updated with new projects as Bay Localize becomes aware of them, demonstrating to residents and neighbors the increasing resiliency and livability the Bay Area derives from relocalization efforts and initiatives.

Get Involved! Contact project leader Brian Holland at brian@baylocalize.org.


Events Roundup: Recent and Upcoming Gatherings

Bay Localize has taken part at various events this summer, connecting with a wide range of people and groups that are leading the way toward local self-reliance.

In June, Bay Localize Co-founder David Room spoke on energy preparedness at a Brown Bag Lunch Talk sponsored by the San Francisco Department of the Environment. In July, he spoke at the Oregon Country Fair and addressed the Local Agency Formation Commission of San Francisco on the issue of municipal response to peak oil (see above).

Bay Localize Network Coordinator Aaron Lehmer co-led a discussion of peak oil and relocalization with S.F. Post Carbon's Mike Carrick at the Hillside Community Church in June, and presented to the Post Carbon Mt. Diablo group in July.

In July, Bay Localize also participated at the Oakland Food Systems hearing and helped organize a Day of Solidarity with the South Central Farmers, which took place at Oakland's Grand Lake Farmers Market. In August, Rooftop Resources Project Leader Ingrid Severson participated at SolFest in Hopland, California.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • Simplicity Conference: Living More With Less, September 9 at Lake Merritt United Methodist Church (1330 Lakeshore Ave.) in Oakland. Bay Localize's Aaron Lehmer will be speaking on the connections between community self-reliance, simpler living, and a lighter footprint on the earth.
  • Power to the Peaceful Festival, September 9 in Golden Gate Park's Speedway Meadow in San Francisco. Bay Localize will be tabling at this event.
  • Green Collar Jobs Solutions Salon, September 21 at the Laney College Theatre (900 Fallon Street) in Oakland. Sponsored by Ella Baker Center for Human Rights and the Oakland Apollo Alliance. Bay Localize will be participating at this event.

Look for announcements of other upcoming gatherings on our online Events page.

Support or Get Involved with Bay Localize Today!

Support Bay Localize!

We strongly urge you to support this project to assess relocalization opportunities in the Bay Area. Your contribution will help propel this vital work forward.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, please click on the online donation button at the right, or write a check or money order made payable to Center for a Sustainable Economy (our fiscal sponsor) with "Bay Localize" in the memo and mail it to:

Center for a Sustainable Economy - Bay Localize
436 14th Street, Suite 1218
Oakland, CA 94612

Thanks for your support!

Get Involved with Bay Localize!

Bay Localize is a largely volunteer-run project. There are many volunteer opportunities ranging from working on promotions, events, and media, to fundraising, research, community outreach, and developing the localization assessment model to apply at the neighborhood level.

For more information on volunteering, please contact Aaron Lehmer at aaron@baylocalize.org.

About Bay Localize News
Bay Localize News features regular news and updates from Bay Localize, a growing network of nonprofits, businesses, and municipal leaders working to build a more resilient, self-reliant, and socially just economy.

EDITOR: Aaron G. Lehmer

CONTRIBUTORS: Aaron G. Lehmer, Allyse Heartwell, Beth Copanas, Ingrid Severson

For more about Bay Localize, please visit our website at http://www.baylocalize.org.


Contact Us:
Bay Localize
436 14th Street, Suite 1218
Oakland, CA 94612
Tel: (510) 834-0420
Web: http://www.baylocalize.org

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