community

Money as a Commons

Money is either a reward for past work, or (when issued through the device of credit) an advance secured in expectation of future work. From this viewpoint we can see money as an aspirational commons - a Common Pool Resource backed by our collective efforts, that with the right governance regime could be managed equitably and to mutual benefit. By Graham Barnes.

Community energy in Ireland (Part 1)

Former Feasta intern Erik Jan van Oosten argues that the community energy paper (CEPPP) which was recently produced by a group of 18 Irish organisations including Feasta is an important step forward but that there are nuances and aspects that deserve further attention. In this first of three articles he discusses the societal aspects of energy production: who should have the ownership and control?

From our archives: How three families created a movement and boosted an industry

There's been considerable discussion in Ireland lately of the benefits of community-owned renewable power. Earlier this week Paul Kenny described the situation in Denmark in glowing terms in the Irish Journal. This panel from Richard Douthwaite's 1996 book Short Circuit identifies the roots of the community wind energy movement in Denmark. Lessons for elsewhere, perhaps?