Citizens State of the City and County
Letter From the Future and Conclusion
return to suburban permaculture home page
CSCC text and essays by other participants can be found at www.sustaineugene.org
check again both this location and sustain eugene for a video of the CSCC
Link to Reclaiming the Urban Landscape
return to suburban permaculture home page
The CSCC was a citizen initiative that took place Monday, January 12 at Harris Hall, downtown Eugene. There were five thematic parts, local food, transportation choices, regional planning, forest health and a letter from the future. Below, is the letter from the future with an enhanced complement of visual images.
CITIZENS STATE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY
The Citizens State of the City and County is a citizen initiative to draw attention
to the critical failures by the media, governments, business, educational institutions
and non-governmental organizations to address the fundamental causes of the
ecological, energy and economic crises. The CSCC advocates timely policies and
community priorities, that are holistic and interdisciplinary. It describes
how effective approaches responding to these crises can mitigate all of them
at the same time.
A Letter From the Future, Eugene, 2030
Dear Citizens of Lane County 2009,
Here are the best words and encouragement from the future we have to
offer. By mid
2009, we finally admitted the economic disarray was not a recession. It was
the end of a
period of history - economic growth as we knew it was ending. Combined with
a
changing climate, erratic energy supplies and the natural environment in steep
decline,
we began to redefine our cultural and economic needs. We redirected our diminishing
assets towards a very different set of circumstances and future. [letter conintues
below - By late 2009,,,,,,,]
Note, there are numerous images, those immediately below with url links are taken from the New York Times. Captions for the fotos are in italics, the Letter From The Future like this.
The NYT Images are companion to articles explaining the many affects of the economic meltdown. One can extrapolate from the present into the future. Articles from the last 3 months or less. Cut and paste url adress to go to the New York Times article.
Harvard endowment plunges.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/04/business/04harvard.html?_r=1&em=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1228413769-PUtkaUY82L52sL69k4HGrQ
Medical benefits end with job losses.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/07/us/07uninsured.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&hp&adxnnlx=1228586534-U8xw0jxP%20Ao%20bH7CPDUf6g
Imported cars pile up at point of entry.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/19/business/economy/19ports.html
Elderly relocating to care centers delayed because homes are not selling.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/22/us/22home.html?hp
Auto dealerships closing.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/business/30dealer.html?_r=1
Suburban garage sails on the rise. Becoming restricted in many towns.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/25/us/25garage.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
Savannah, Georgia suffers economic slide in multiple ways.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/business/economy/30econ.html?hp
Sports endorsements in decline. NFL lays off office staff. NASCAR contracting. Red Sox freeze ticket prices.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/15/sports/othersports/15sports.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Affluent teens are finding jobs. Pizza privileges fading.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/nyregion/13teens.html?_r=1&hp
By late 2009, leadership converged from diverse points of the city
and county –
government, education, unions, faith communities, nonprofits, business, neighborhoods
and grange halls. The group articulated what we call the County Plan. It coordinated
both urban and rural means of production for a clear and ambitious campaign
to
meet our county's important needs from sources closer to home in a way the
environment could sustain.
The first part of the Plan created an Emergency Preparedness strategy
that
addressed a broad range of contingencies such as transportation disruptions,
food and
energy shortages, floods and economic instability. Those contingency plans proved
their
value much sooner than most thought possible.
Next, the Plan identified a surprisingly large and diverse number of
civic assets county
wide - prototypes already in place - that fit perfectly with the goals
of the County
Plan. Examples came from business, school curriculum, urban land
use, neighborhood projects, city and county programs, innovative approaches
to food
production, energy ideas and ad hoc arrangements of all kinds. Most people had
no
idea all this creativity was happening, sometimes just down the street or the
hallway.
Rachel Carson students, Churchill High School. Focus on science and environmental Curriculum. Students learn about and participate in wetlands restoration.
The Plan set out to expand and replicate these prototypes with new
policy initiatives
and unprecedented budget shifts, boosted by the “Invest Local”
campaign. We are
seeing impressive results towards our goals in transportation, food production,
environmental protection and restoration, urban land use, education, neighborhoods
and
manufacturing.
Vital to the Plan's success was a public education campaign that clearly explained how and why we were making these changes. Media, schools, civic organizations,professional networks, neighborhoods, churches all helped to put out the message.
The early 'teens were a time of great economic challenge.
Thats when the
Emergency Preparedness paid off big. Communities of faith seemed to come to
life
and teeming up with neighborhood organizations, turned their buildings into
community
centers all over town with classes, discussions, strategy sessions, work parties
and
celebrations, all about taking care of our needs closer to where we live.
It was during this time that we became aware of the power of community
cohesion.
Its hard to explain. Entire neighborhoods became something like family. It
was a special time when we made great forward movement. We came to realize
everyone had these positive potentials all along. That trust and shared purpose
is what
has sustained us.
Filbert clean up along the Willamette Greenway. Residents of River Road Neighborhood and City of Eugene Stream Team Program complement each other. Residents provide the labor, City provides tools, expertise, chipper and glazed do nuts. Community cohesion has enormous potential.
By 2010, suburbia ended its historic expansion. The market
gave out as new policies
helped to replace it with compact urban villages. Most villages were
redeveloped from existing commercial zones, often built on increasingly empty
parking
lots. These villages benefited from years of thoughtful study by Eugene's neighborhood
associations. Now they are places for employment, residential density, culture,
shops
and offices for everyday needs - accessible to nearby residents by foot or bike.
Real estate in decline.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/nyregion/13teens.html?_r=1&hp
Mixed use redevelopment. This attractive mixed use redevelopment includes day care, residential, shops, health clinic, library, small business incubator, farmers market and station on the local light rail. The site is a former parking lot. Location is Fruitvale, a small town south of Oakland, Ca. [could be Eugene after another 25 years including climate change] More images of Fruitvale.
In newer suburban areas, grass gave way to gardens years ago,
passive solar
redesign and rain water catchment are common, automobile space has been reclaimed.
On site assets are being used for a new kind of suburbia.
Home in Eugene, Oregon. Numerous conversion features inclucing grass to garden, passive solar redesign, rain water catchment, concrete removal, reclaiming automobile space, increasing residential density, community learning center. More information on property conversion. [note, Perma Jam IV set for this location, Saturday, Feb 14, noon to 3. RSVP]
Property conversion in Eugene. Shed occupies site of removed driveway, carport converted to living space, grass to garden, native plants with water feature, metal roof for evental potable rain water system,,,,,,
Property schematic for conversion project in Eugene. South is to the left. Street is along the right edge.
Closer in to town, Block Planning is in full swing. BP allows
residents and
property owners to redevelop the block in creative and cooperative ways. Benefits
include edible landscaping, reclaimed automobile space, resource conservation
and
much more. BP facilitates community cohesion, is great for kids, the elderly
and
the local economy.
Theoretical Block Plan. Before left, after right. Green, new vegetation. Yellow, concrete areas to be removed. Blue, new structures. Brown, garage to living. Green could be edible landscaping, garden, habitat, play. Note cluster parking of cars at end of the block and emergency access through the middle of the block. This idea never built out. Real plans could be very different. More on Block Planning.
Garden at East Blair Housing Co-op. Low automobile ownership and cluster parking of cars allowed for this garden to replace a parking lot. Note residential density and open space. [note, guided tour of east blair set for 1 pm, sunday, feb 1]
The Plan was visionary in rural areas, too, where agriculture
shifted to food, fiber and
biofuel, for local use. Few would have imagined how quickly fields of grass
seed turned
into seas of waving grain. Small businesses serving area markets are
revitalizing small towns. Oregon State University and the Extension Service
are critical
parts of this new regional agriculture. Lane County now feeds itself, although
our diet
is simple. Climate change provides a longer growing season but also new insect
pests
and more erratic weather.
Former grass seed field now grows wheat for local use. Many thousands of other acres in the Willamette Valley could do the same.
In 2009, the County Plan and grassroots pressure on the federal government
lead to
new programs that created thousands of jobs preserving and restoring the forests
to
health. Thousands of miles of old logging roads are being removed along with
planting
diverse species of trees and removal of obsolete dams.
We are seeing the benefits of these efforts - improved forest biodiversity,
soil
conservation, cleaner drinking water and increasing wild salmon in local streams.
[Salmon] We enjoy nearby recreation, along with more native foods and medicines
from local forests. Former mill towns are perking up with new economies that
are more
stable and protect the forests .
Salmon in a stream not far from Eugene.
Regional industrial coordination means the Northwest produces most
of the
manufactured products we need. Freight and human passengers now benefit
from an extensive rail network in the region, complimented with biogas buses
thanks
to changes in transportation policies about 2010 when money destined for new
highways was redirected to rail.
Local bicycle manufacturing. A useful product creating employment.
Public health has improved in many ways. Practically everyone
has exercise - it's a
normal part of life, we are more physical than 25 years ago. Junk food is a
memory, our
food is fresh, local and vital. We focus on disease prevention, not repair and
every
neighborhood has a community clinic.
No one is hungry or sleeps under a bridge. We are more inclusive
and multi-generational
in every day life. Most people live in co-ops that are like extended families.
These
positive social relationships measurably benefit our quality of life and public
health.
Schools at all levels teach practical “closer to home”
skills such as Earth History,
permaculture, food sciences, effective communication and service to the community.
Classes are widely available at 4 J Schools, LCC and UO. Young people have
many new civic responsibilities and thrive on them.
Student interview. Caesar Chavez School. School Garden Project site, kids learn about growing food, nutrition, health, visit to nearby farms/where their food comes from, self empowerment. All kids can benefit from this curriculum.
We have seen unimaginable changes in these years, the challenges continue but
we are
becoming a more compassionate people.
Many jobs and products of your time are no longer with us, yet we enjoy
diverse
benefits from these changes. The environment is recovering. Our towns
are more
secure and attractive. We value our social cohesion more than you can probably
understand. At first, we resisted these changes, now they are embraced. We
have redefined prosperity.
Sincerely,
Citizens of Lane County, 2025
Closing To CSCC
Given the environmental, economic and resource trends of our time, the goal
of the
CSCC is to add important perspectives that are largely missing within our civic
conversations.
We ask what are the implications of these deepening crises? We observe american
style
affluence, both within the US and elsewhere, is at the core of climate change,
resource
depletion, global instability and environmental decline. We ask what do we really
need
to be healthy and secure over the long term and how can we accomplish that.
Suburbia, freeway, shopping mall. Three icons of a failed system that was not a good idea in the first place. It has created material abundance at the cost of global instability, environmental destruction and spritual poverty.
Through the ages, all the world's great religions and spiritual traditions
have
advocated modest lifestyles, cooperation, compassion toward others and
reverence for the natural world. These are exactly the values and ideals
that best serve the human spirit and can best guide how we respond to the
multiple crises of our time. The great majority of Americans identify
with those values and ideals. Imagine if millions of americans put these ideals
into action in every day life.
It would create irresistable momentum. We would soon redefine our needs
and goals both as individuals and as communities to live within our economic
and
environmental means.
That momentum can lead in two important directions. Many vital changes
in our own lives, neighborhoods and communities can take place without need
for
legislation or billion dollar bailouts. The CSCC has described wonderful ideas
and examples that only require people taking time and initiative to be part
of positive
and timely changes at home, in thier neighborhoods - urban and rural, where
they work
and worship, and how they take care of their needs.
Seminar on suburban property conversion. At least two people in the foto now have impressive property conversion projects of thier own.
Another direction this momentum can affect is institutional. Enough people
commited
to making positive changes can lead to the larger scale policy
and budget shifts in areas such as transportation, agriculture, forests, land
use, public
health and global relations.
We are in the midst of a great adventure, there is no detailed set of instructions
as to what to do. This is not a time for inaction. Planet Earth has its own
schedule
and to expect that earth schedule to accommodate what is conveneint for humans
is ill
advised.
Its clear to a growing number of people that investing our declining financial
and material assets in a failed
economic system and way of life is a mistake we cannot afford. We have a
remarkable set tools, models and human pioneers already in place to help point
the
way to a healthy future. We have the greatest renewable resources available,
our own positive
potentials as individuals and as communities. With care, respect and a good
touch
of humility towards planet earth, we have choices that can sustain us far into
the
future.
Circle at a regional Permaculture Gathering at Lost Valley Educational
Center near Eugene.
Citizens State of the City and County Media Advisory
Monday, January 12 at Harris Hall, 8th and Oak. 12 Noon
A different set of perspective and approaches to the current economic, cultural and ecological downslide.
MEDIA ADVISORY -- JANUARY 2, 2009
PRESS RELEASE -- JANUARY 2, 2009
CITIZENS STATE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY
TO PRESENT RECOMMENDED POLICIES AND VISIONS
TO ADDRESS ECONOMIC, ENERGY AND ECOLOGICAL CRISES
When: Monday, January 12, 2009, 12 Noon to 1 P.M.
Where: Harris Hall, Lane County Auditorium, 8th and Oak Streets, Eugene, Oregon
Who: Citizen Advocates on the critical issues of our time
Press contacts:
Jan Spencer, (541) 686-6761, spencerj@efn.org
Aleta Miller, (541) 543-9103, vayamaji@att.net
CITIZENS STATE OF THE CITY AND COUNTY
The Citizens State of the City and County is a citizen initiative to draw attention
to the critical failures by the media, governments, business, educational institutions
and non-governmental organizations to address the fundamental causes of the
ecological, energy and economic crises. The CSCC advocates timely policies and
community priorities, that are holistic and interdisciplinary. It describes
how effective approaches responding to these crises can mitigate all of them
at the same time.
On Monday, January 12, 2009, Noon at Harris Hall, a report from CSCC will be released. The report will highlight key issues --- regional food security, transportation choices, regional land use, restorative forestry, and a vision of how these shifts in policies and priorities can benefit the region now and in the future.
Essays, graphics, video relating to the CSCC can be found after January 12 at www.sustaineugene.org
Welcome, Food - Agriculture as if Food Security Mattered -- Aleta Miller
Environmental Center of Sustainability. Aleta will discuss how the city and county can cooperate to strengthen food security, one of the most important goals for any healthy community. Relocalizing food production will become critical as transportation and fossil fuel based fertilizer continue to adversely affect cost, quality and availability of food. Analysis of needed infrastructure development for processing, storage and distribution will be addressed.The CSCC report includes a proposal to use the Lane County Fairgrounds as a hub for a new initiative to help make our region's food supply more self sufficient.
Transportation - Transportation Choices --Mark Robinowitz
Author of “Road Scholar: Transportation Choices atthe End of the Age of Oil”. Mark will explain why Federal, State, County and City governments want massive increases in highway funding to“stimulate” the economy. These proposals include widening Beltline, Route 126 in Springfield and Interstate 5. However, traffic levels on Oregon State highways (and nationally) have “peaked” due to gasoline price increases. Recent decreases in the cost of oil are only temporary, we have either reached peak oil or are close to it. Peak Traffic, Peak Oil and increasingly constrained transportation funds mean that our priorities should shift to road and bridge repair, relocating highway funds from widening I-5 and building new roadways to upgrading regional rail service such as the Amtrak Cascades. Policy shifts should also increase funding to prevent planned cuts in Lane Transit District’s bus service.
Land Use - The Future Will Not be Like the Past -- Robert Emmons
President of LandWatch Lane County, a non-profitdedicated to stopping sprawl onto farm and forest land. Bob will describe the consequences of weak regulation, lack of enforcement and the State's “Big Look” land use task force for City and County planning efforts. Emmons will describe some alternative means by which Lane County might achieve environmental health and economic resilience.
Forests - Restoration and Preservation -- Samantha Chirillo
Cascadia's Ecosystem Advocates. Samantha will highlight how clearcutting, large -scale native public forest thinning and forest bio mass extraction for electricity and liquid fuel would destabilize our climate and economy. Chirillo will explain how policy and budgets should be redirected toward restoration and preservation efforts that would provide improved bio diversity, clean drinking water, soil conservation and provide greater economic security in both rural and urban communities. Removing poorly maintained logging roads, planting trees and trail repair surrounding urban areas are important restoration strategies that will also create thousands of green, living wage jobs. Applying tax incentives to forestry practices that have the lowest impact on stored carbon and waterways is also a key preservation strategy.
Letter from the Future - Benefits from Redefining Our Needs -- Jan Spencer
The Suburban Permaculture Project. Jan will present a “letter from the
future”. The letter describes a future in 2025 greatly benefited by timely
region wide policy changes in 2010. Lifestyles are far closer to home with people
in town living much closer to where they work and shop. In rural areas nearly
all agricultural land is in production for local food, fiber, and energy. Rural
towns are revitalized thanks to visionary land use restoration and protection
policies 15 years earlier. The region is linked by a network of biogas buses
and electric railroads. Many economic and environmatal challenges remain but
there are numerous positive outcomes to the more local way of life in terms
of public health, community cohesion, eco system vitality and economic stability