hopes

[chelidon]

I don't know these folks, and haven't read through the material yet, but it looks like it could be a good resource for some sustainability, permaculture and post-peak-oil info. Note that the (free) online material can be found here: http://survivingpeakoil.com/articles.php

GRITS Newsletter, Nov. 4, 2005

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT!

It is here: GRITS, THE BOOK!
Only available at http://www.lulu.com/allenadale

In the summer of 2004, A Call for Action went out over
the internet
(http://www.survivingpeakoil.com/article.php?id=callforaction).
The essay painted a dire picture of the various
ecological and socioeconomic problems that are quickly
converging to bring into question the continued
viability of modern civilization. The essay pointed
out that these problems were entirely due to the
dominant socioeconomic system and that, as such, we
cannot expect a solution from within that system. Our
political and business leaders are only interested in
their own short range prosperity, and are in no way
inclined to even contemplate problems that can only be
solved by damaging their own prospects.

The essay ended with a call for practical advice on
how small communities and people of limited means can
prepare for the crises ahead, and possibly even help
to build a more sustainable society. The responses
were nearly overwhelming, and it took some time before
we could work our way through all the valuable
materials that were submitted. In order to share this
vital information as freely and as quickly as
possible, a website was established where anyone could
download the submissions without charge
(http://www.survivingpeakoil.com/). Over the next
year, submissions were posted on this site just as
soon as they were edited. There is still a backlist of
submissions, but the brunt of the initial flood has
now been edited and loaded onto the site.

Now it is time to move on to the next step of the
project, publication of these submissions in a printed
volume. And so we are pleased to announce the
publication of the first edition of GRITS: Grassroots
Ideas to Survive. Currently, this book is only
available through lulu.com, an internet-based,
print-on-demand publisher. The small profit on the
book will eventually be used to purchase an ISBN and
entrance into an international distribution network.
The next edition should be available wherever books
are sold, and will incorporate even more of the
submissions from the website, a full bibliography, and
an index. Should this first edition sell well enough,
the sales data can be used to interest a bigger
publisher in future editions.

If you would like to support our efforts by purchasing
a copy of GRITS, currently you can only find it
through the following internet address:
http://www.lulu.com/allenadale. We have tried to keep
the publication price as low as possible, and have
only added enough royalties so that the book will pay
for itself. We are sorry that the current distribution
method charges so much for overseas shipping.
Hopefully, this problem will be remedied with the next
edition.

Here is a list of the contents:

GRITS: Grassroots Ideas to Survive

Preface
A Call for Action, Dale Allen Pfeiffer

Holistic Overview
Imperatives for Transition to a Sustainable & Just Society, Ted Trainer
Until the Last Drop, Ronald Greek
Effects of Oil Depletion on Global Warming, Dan Robinson
Reverse Industrial Revolution, Alan Leishman
Big Issues and Small Responses, Gary Littlejohn
Crap, Third Worlders, Food Presevation, & Bio-Immunity, Monkey Symbiotic Solutions, James Haritos
Facing the New Dark Age: A Grassroots Approach, John Michael Greer
Adapting to Fuel Depletion, Kalkin
How to Plan for Peak Oil on a Limited Budget, Chris Lisle

Food & Agriculture
Growing Security, Richard Heinberg
Homeland Security Equals Free Range Chickens and a Good Dog, Jim Hogue
Soil Aeration Enhanced Container Horticulture, Robert Forrester
Drawing Lessons from Experience, Dale Allen Pfeiffer
A Little Role Model in the Horn of Africa, Thomas C.Mountain
Post-Oil Land Use, Robert Forrester
Peak Oil and Permaculture: David Holmgren on Energy Descent, Adam Fenderson
Balancing the Earth budget: Household economies in a Post-oil world, Sorcha Keepers

Governance, Organizing & Decision Making Sociocracy, Ted Millich
Abuse of Citizens by Governments and Multinational Corporations, Frances Oommen

Home Building & Design
Dew & Heat Collecting Roofs, Robert Forrester
Post-Oil HVAC, Robert Forrester
Transition to a Post-Technological World, Steven Woeste

Community Organization
Co-Housing, Christine Johnson
Community is Necessary to Survival, The Uncommon Thought Journal

Communications
Information Requirements for a Viable World, Bruce Buchanan

Alternative Economics & Business
Leveraging Commonplace Assets in a Co-operative(s), Gregory Dean
A Workable Transition to Democratic Retirement Systems, Harel B
Cashless Society, Shakti
Restructuring Our Economic System(s), Mike Morin
Alternative Local Economies, Ted Millich

Firsthand Experience
Almost the Way Life Should Be, Mike Bendzela
Post-Soviet Lessons for a Post-American Century, Dmitri Orlov
Our Village, Dmitri Orlov

Transportation
A 12-Step Journey to Oil-Free Travel, Guy Dauncy
How to Transition from the Car Culture to the Bike
Culture Paradigm, Curt Sommer
A Convergence of Horse and Bicycle Modes of Transport, Terry Dyke

Alternative Energy
Collection, Storage and Controlled Release of Lightning and Other High Voltages: A Research Proposal
For Energy Independence, David Hausmann

Wilderness Survivial
A Matter of Survival, Dale Allen Pfeiffer

Water Remediation
Living Walls, Folke Günther