Energy Descent Action Plans – a primer

An Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) is a local plan for dealing with Peak Oil. It goes well beyond issues of energy supply, to look at across-the-board creative adaptations in the realms of health, education, economy and much more. An EDAP is a way to think ahead, to plan in an integrated, multidisciplinary way, to provide direction to local government, decision makers, groups and individuals with an interest in making the place they live into a vibrant and viable community in a post-carbon era.

This document is a primer on EDAPs, designed to help spur on the process of creating them. Since the concept of an EDAP is inspired by looming Peak Oil, as well as the permaculture design system, and the inevitability of economic relocalisation — I’ve also included a brief introduction to these three topics. This is followed by information on Kinsale, the small Irish town where the first EDAP was written, an inspiring plan which has now been taken on board as official policy by the town council. Then a few musing on how to start the process of getting an EDAP off the ground here in Melbourne.

.. Small goals must be set along the way. Plus we may need people acting as facilitators, researchers, translators, fundraisers and in other roles. Does a project like this need to be associated with an incorporated body? Can it work under the auspices of another incorporated group? What partner organisations can take on responsibilities? Eg. renewable energy and conservation organisations, sustainable transport advocates, green urban planners and architects, etc. It’s would help if whoever is approached has or gains a solid foundation in the problem of Peak Oil, and a can take an holistic approach to design. An understanding of permaculture design principles or natural ability to think in similar ways would be a plus. Writers of the plan to not need to be relevant professionals, indeed an amateur’s fresh eyes and ideas may indeed turn out to be a plus.

Many questions to answer!

But also an inexorable drive onward… onward… to suburban glory.

Energy Bulletin