Sustainability

Introduction

In short, our current use of fossil fuels, primarily oil, to fuel our wasteful western lifestyles and expectations is unsustainable. We are rapidly approaching the point where oil consumption outsrips supply. The following problems will start to occur long before we actually run out of oil reserves:

Fuel price rises

Cost of food increases

Food shortages

Political uproar etc.

The four horsemen go on world tour

The severity of these issues can be mitigated by EITHER:

Finding an alternative fuel source which can subsititute for our current oil-greed

Dramatically changing our lifestyles to reduce the need for oil

The former is a popular option as it permits us to continue as we are doing. Hence the political U-turns regarding nuclear power for the future. Maybe science will come to our rescue pulling the rabbit out of the hat to save us all? Certainly, as the price we must pay to continue as we are doing increases, there is more pressure to change our ways rather than continue in the same vein.

Consequently, it is the second option which attracts our attention more, mainly because it underwrites a form of social maturity. Rather than continuing to live in and implicitly support the social norms of our rather wasteful western culture, why not focus on trying to live in a sustainable manner? Can we live in a manner where we can supply what we need by growing and manufacturing it locally, saving on transport costs, and reducing waste? What changes in social perspectives are needed for this?

First Steps

Major topics to deal with include Food and Transport.

Many of us use supermarkets, but the artificially reduced prices permitted by such large scale relatively energy inefficient enterprises are due to an unsustainable oil debt. If there are any local markets and shops left, try using them: The prices are higher, opening times less convenient, parking is less convenient and product choice is less. However, these problems are either indicative of a more realistic sustainable lifestyle cost, or a consequence of supermarkets currently aiming to replace them as a 'viable option'. Pay attention to food miles and carbon footprints!

Regarding transport, we are investigating Biodiesel fuel for our cars. By converting vegetable oil or waste vegetable oil (from your chip shop say) to biodiesel, you can start using a greener car fuel at a loss less cost. Problem is, implementing these new procedures takes time and can have disastrous consequences if not managed properly, such as the rush to grow crops for biofuels displacing vital food production. Alternative options for a sustainable lifestyle could be as extreme as reverting to horse and cart, but it would seem more likely that electric or biodiesel cars would be preferable for most people! Reducing the need for transport lies at the other extreme, such as by working from home and using telephone/video/web conferencing.

We'll try to keep you posted with the developments of this social experiment, but for now try asking yourself:

Am I living sustainably? How hard can it be?

Find out for yourself. See how easy or difficult it is to investigate the issue. Do you think enough is being done to bring the issue into public awareness, or are we placing out faith in the nanny-state to make it all better for us? The latter is unlikely to work because telling people to cut back and change their expectations makes the goverment unpopular! The issue gets sidelined 'to avoid public alarm'. This makes it likely that if people are going to start reconsidering their lifestyles the motivation is going to be from economic pressures such as the global recession we are experiencing. Every cloud has a silver lining! Let's hope there is time to change without too much suffering.

Sustainable Tiverton

The local market in the centre of Tiverton is a good place to source fruit, vegetables, bread, eggs, milk and butter. The problem is that the market produce days are only Fridays, Saturdays and Tuesdays!

I remember this via the mnemonic: You have to be FirST to the market! The F = Friday, S = Saturday, and T = Tuesday.

Market details at http://www.tiverton-market.co.uk/

Now, since the market is best in the mornings on those days, you need to make time to visit, possibly even scheduling a special trip. This is a world of difference from the convenience of the supermarkets, and the prices are often more expensive. However, take pride in the following:

You are reducing your carbon footprint with locally sourced food
The prices are a fairer reflection on of the real price of food
You are saving on packaging as most produce is sold loose
Amongst other things, the bread tastes a lot better!

There are plenty of local butchers, in the market and on the road leading from town to the bus station. Westexe is a good place for local suppliers too.

Reapers, though more costly than most places, does have an excellent range of health foods and local produce to complement the market wares. It doesn't appear to have an easy to find website at present though!

Reapers

18 Bampton St.
Tiverton, EX16 6AA

01884 255310

Problems

Some things are proving difficult to source sustainably at the moment, which means infrequent trips to Morrisons for items such as:

Fruit juice (to dilute)

Razor blades

Shaving foam/gel

Tinned foods

Printer Paper and Ink

In at least some of these cases, the mistake is probably in thinking that the item is itself necessary. For example, I should probably try just using soap when shaving, or investigate preserving foods myself, or just using fresh counterparts to tinned foods. However, this also takes time to get used to! Regarding electrical goods I'm at a loss, given that we have such a throwaway culture we have largely lost touch with the concept of repair and re-use regarding most appliances.

Also, I find I have a woeful tendency to pop by the supermarkets when hungry and short of time, although I am trying to visit the local bakers instead. As a perpetually hungry person, this is far too frequent!

I suppose the biggest problem at the moment is being organised. Having become so used to the convenience of the supermarket, living sustainably is proving tricky. Planning my daily food intake so I don't have to 'grab a sandwich' can be an effort. I don't feel that this is a bad thing by any means, as questioning these dependencies is probably healthy.

The increased cost is also a major issue when earnings are low, but frankly the food is healthier than most of the stodge and snack food you are likely to add to your supermarket basket anyway when walking down the aisle.