On April 8, Feasta’s David Korowicz was the featured guest on From Alpha to Omega, a weekly podcast by Tom O’Brien. He spoke about the likelihood of economic collapse and what to expect in the coming years. You can listen to it here.…
By David Korowicz, from Fleeing Vesuvius. The systems on which we rely for our financial transactions, food, fuel and livelihoods are so inter-dependent that they are better regarded as facets of a single global system. Maintaining and operating this global system requires a lot of energy and, because the fixed costs of operating it are high, it is only cost-effective if it is run at near full capacity. As a result, if its throughput falls because less energy is available, it does not contract in a gentle, controllable manner. Instead it is subject to catastrophic collapse. 
by Dmitry Orlov, from Fleeing Vesuvius. Countries’ current attempts to recover from their difficulties are driving up oil prices. Orlov believes that the world economy will be unable to cope and will collapse, just as it did in 2008. Future attempts at recovery will also fail. He argues that anyone who recognises this should spend whatever money they have engaging with their neighbours and the land in new ways so that they stand a chance of saving something for themselves and their children. 
In this week’s excerpt from Fleeing Vesuvius, Brian Davey argues that since the financial and political components of the present system have now discredited themselves, a fluid situation exists that might allow more viable options to emerge. Local green initiatives, in particular the Transition Towns movement, are gaining in strength and number(s), but do they have the potential to develop the capacity needed at a national level to transform societies’ energy and transport infrastructures? 
from Fleeing Vesuvius. Psychologist John Sharry describes how societies are struggling to come to terms with the nature and extent of the changes facing them both now and in the future. Modern psychological models of motivation and change, and of how people deal with threat and loss, suggest strategies that can be used to help individuals change and to galvanise communities into collective action. 
by Dan Sullivan, from Fleeing Vesuvius. Pittsburgh and Cleveland have adopted diametrically opposed strategies, with dramatically different results. In Pittsburgh, foreclosure rates are low despite the downturn, home prices are climbing slightly and construction rates are increasing. Cleveland, meanwhile, is struggling to stem a complete collapse of its housing market. The difference lies in the fact that Pittsburgh has had a site-value tax, which steadies the market, and Cleveland has not. 
Two long reviews of Feasta’s book Fleeing Vesuvius have appeared recently, one enthusiastic, the other markedly less so. Andy Wilson of An Taisce writes that ” The point hammered home repeatedly is that solo runs are futile, while collaboration and working together offers communities their best chance….. Wonderful book. Buy it.” Graham Strouts is not so convinced. Is he raising questions which Feasta members should not ignore? 
Feasta is badly in need of funding at present. Early in 2013 we will lose a sizable proportion of our core funding owing to the winding down of a trust fund that has been supporting Feasta for many years. Joining Feasta, making a donation or buying one of our books are much-appreciated gestures of support towards an organisation with a well-established track record of researching, debating and promoting the much-needed switch to a sustainable and just economic paradigm. 
Feasta and Sensible Money are organising a one day conference in Dublin on Friday 31st May to explore the consequences of our malfunctioning money system and some of the proposals for its reform, replacement or supplement. The morning session will explore the repercussions of the way in which money is currently created while the afternoon session will focus on responses, including some Irish initiatives. 
Environmental activists and anyone with an interest in environmental law are cordially invited to a weekend seminar organised by FEASTA and WinACC (Winchester Action on Climate Change). The seminar will consider fresh approaches to tackling climate change and how they might be put into action. It will appeal to those who like to hear alternative perspectives, challenge conventional thinking, and explore ideas through discussion with others. Saturday June 29th – Sunday June 30th 2013. 
Richard Douthwaite, co-founder of Feasta and much-loved colleague and friend, died on November 14th 2011 after a long illness. We will miss his unique and far-ranging intellect, the clarity of his thought and writing, his warmth and his laughter. Tributes to him have come in from around the world and you can read them here. 
Feasta’s Autumn conference examined measures that this country could adopt to secure its economic future which would not leave it reliant on external factors largely outside of its control. Scenarios explored included the potential collapse of the eurozone. The conference featured prominent international and Irish economists and was aimed at economists, politicians, policy-makers, business people, social partners, and other key decision-makers.
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