Why Should I care?
There are many reasons to care about sustainability. While the word sustainability carries mixed messages, the ideas behind it are elemental - Sustainability is all about making sure we are able to meet our needs with the resources we have available to us. As the diagram below indicates, when needs are greater than resources, there can be rapid demise of systems. There are limits to the availability of essential resources, especially oil, which is the driver of our entire economy. In addition, there are limits to the degree to which ecosystems can manage the impact of excessive use in the context of consumption.
Given the complexity of our 21st century lives, it can be easy to have faith in others to solve the challenges of limited resources. Technology and innovation will solve the problems, we say. But the reality is that unless we adapt our expectations and behaviors in the context of resource constraints, we will experience the rapid collapse of the economic, environmental and social systems that currently support our lives.
In Hanover, the impacts of climate change and resource constraints seem remote. However, what if the flow of fuel to the Upper Valley was halted for a week, or a month? Or, what if the flow of food to our supermarkets was halted for a week or a month? How would we respond? What if there is a rapid inflow of environmental refugees seeking a safe place to live, away from the various coastal communities inundated by water and social change? Would our community be able to manage that? There are numerous what-ifs.
Our job, as citizens of this Town, this State, this Country and this Planet, is to begin thinking creatively about how we might play a role in adapting to an uncertain future. Just as we purchase life insurance and homeowners insurance in case we suddenly die or our house burns down, it makes sense to think about what we can do to create an insurance policy for our kids in case one or some of the 'what-ifs' above occur.
The Sustainable Hanover Committee, which is comprised of citizen volunteers, hopes that residents of Hanover and the Upper Valley can use this site as a "cook-book" of sorts, with various recipes for actions you may choose to take. We understand that in order to take action, we need to know where we are going. We also need to know where we actually are. Throughout this site you will find various strategies for learning more about where you are as well as where you might choose to go. In the end, there are many paths we can take in adapting to our times. Hopefully this site can serve as a guide, can provide a useful framework for taking action.
Given the complexity of our 21st century lives, it can be easy to have faith in others to solve the challenges of limited resources. Technology and innovation will solve the problems, we say. But the reality is that unless we adapt our expectations and behaviors in the context of resource constraints, we will experience the rapid collapse of the economic, environmental and social systems that currently support our lives.
In Hanover, the impacts of climate change and resource constraints seem remote. However, what if the flow of fuel to the Upper Valley was halted for a week, or a month? Or, what if the flow of food to our supermarkets was halted for a week or a month? How would we respond? What if there is a rapid inflow of environmental refugees seeking a safe place to live, away from the various coastal communities inundated by water and social change? Would our community be able to manage that? There are numerous what-ifs.
Our job, as citizens of this Town, this State, this Country and this Planet, is to begin thinking creatively about how we might play a role in adapting to an uncertain future. Just as we purchase life insurance and homeowners insurance in case we suddenly die or our house burns down, it makes sense to think about what we can do to create an insurance policy for our kids in case one or some of the 'what-ifs' above occur.
The Sustainable Hanover Committee, which is comprised of citizen volunteers, hopes that residents of Hanover and the Upper Valley can use this site as a "cook-book" of sorts, with various recipes for actions you may choose to take. We understand that in order to take action, we need to know where we are going. We also need to know where we actually are. Throughout this site you will find various strategies for learning more about where you are as well as where you might choose to go. In the end, there are many paths we can take in adapting to our times. Hopefully this site can serve as a guide, can provide a useful framework for taking action.
What are the Challenges we Face?
Peak Oil
We are running out of cheap, quality fuel. How will we fare in a resource constrained world? What will be the national and personal security issues we will face? Are we prepared?
Background Information
Video: How will you Ride the Slide?
Post Carbon Institute
Energybulletin.net
The Oil Drum
Background Information
Video: How will you Ride the Slide?
Post Carbon Institute
Energybulletin.net
The Oil Drum
Climate Change
As demand for fuel increases, our carbon emissions continue to hinder the earth's natural cooling mechanisms. Are we prepared for increased volatility in our weather? Are we prepared? Do we have any insurance to guarantee our security in an uncertain future? What can we do?
Background Information
NH Dept of Environmental Services - Climate Change
EPA - Climate Change
Climate Change Impacts: Nature Conservancy
Global Warming: NYTimes Article 2/14/2011
Arctic Melt Unnerves the Experts: NYTimes Envrionment
Background Information
NH Dept of Environmental Services - Climate Change
EPA - Climate Change
Climate Change Impacts: Nature Conservancy
Global Warming: NYTimes Article 2/14/2011
Arctic Melt Unnerves the Experts: NYTimes Envrionment
References & Resources
Climate Interactive: A focus on international negotiations. Based on simulations developed by Climate Interactive and others, the current outcomes of international negotiations are not enabling the globe to achieve necessary targets.
US Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (http://www.eere.energy.gov/)
US Environmental Protection Agency: Climate Change (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html)
US Environmental Protection Agency: Energy Portal (http://www.epa.gov/energy/)
US Department of Energy: Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (http://www.eere.energy.gov/)
US Environmental Protection Agency: Climate Change (http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/index.html)
US Environmental Protection Agency: Energy Portal (http://www.epa.gov/energy/)
