Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Transitioning to a Place-based Culture
Environmental Speaker Series
Brought to you by:
WWU College of the Environment
WWU College of Science & Engineering
WWU College of Fine & Performing Arts
WWU Alumni Association
As we enter the 2020s we are experiencing three massive simultaneous cultural crises: the intensifying effects of climate change, rapidly dwindling energy resources and the diminishing returns of our heedless economic growth. The rising costs of fuel and food are being accelerated by our destabilizing global climate and geopolitical constructs. As these crises converge, their impacts on our everyday lives will compound, ushering in social consequences the likes of which many Americans have not experienced in over three generations. A gloomy outlook indeed.
However with the right perspective, there exist hopeful and practical solutions which are as simple and as fun as riding a bike powered by potatoes grown in a neighborhood garden plot. Our Local Communities are a human-scale platform for change. Small groups of people define their own social norms and support each other throughout a cultural transition of this nature. One inspiring example is the Transition Movement which began with all of this in mind and has been activating and supporting communities around the world for over 15 years. This work simultaneously addresses these three driving forces with a hopeful and humane permaculture design process. Increasing biodiversity, building topsoil, sequestering carbon and fighting climate change are all empowering aspects of maintaining a small community garden plot.
The goal for this presentation is to contextualize some of our largest cultural problems and present accessible and practical solutions for a lifelong pursuit of meaningful activism. And to inspire a small group of capable and engaged adults who are keen on creating a positive vision of the future.
Transitioning to a Place-based Culture
Environmental Speaker Series
Brought to you by:
WWU College of the Environment
WWU College of Science & Engineering
WWU College of Fine & Performing Arts
WWU Alumni Association
As we enter the 2020s we are experiencing three massive simultaneous cultural crises: the intensifying effects of climate change, rapidly dwindling energy resources and the diminishing returns of our heedless economic growth. The rising costs of fuel and food are being accelerated by our destabilizing global climate and geopolitical constructs. As these crises converge, their impacts on our everyday lives will compound, ushering in social consequences the likes of which many Americans have not experienced in over three generations. A gloomy outlook indeed.
However with the right perspective, there exist hopeful and practical solutions which are as simple and as fun as riding a bike powered by potatoes grown in a neighborhood garden plot. Our Local Communities are a human-scale platform for change. Small groups of people define their own social norms and support each other throughout a cultural transition of this nature. One inspiring example is the Transition Movement which began with all of this in mind and has been activating and supporting communities around the world for over 15 years. This work simultaneously addresses these three driving forces with a hopeful and humane permaculture design process. Increasing biodiversity, building topsoil, sequestering carbon and fighting climate change are all empowering aspects of maintaining a small community garden plot.
The goal for this presentation is to contextualize some of our largest cultural problems and present accessible and practical solutions for a lifelong pursuit of meaningful activism. And to inspire a small group of capable and engaged adults who are keen on creating a positive vision of the future.
