What can the work of the Transition movement, with more than 1200 initiatives now popping up in 40 countries, contribute to our thinking about how we create a sustainable, and more resilient future?

Rob recounts inspiring tales from across the Transition Network and the many great examples of tangible projects - the Totnes economic blueprint, the Brixton and Bristol local currencies, major community energy projects (e.g. Brixton and Bath) and rural projects like community grocers/bakeries, food growing initiatives, and collaborations with farmers to produce local food.

In the UK 390 Transition communities are pioneering new initiatives aimed at building resilient local economies, vibrant communities and creating wellbeing.

It is no surprise that Rob Hopkins, the founder of the Transition Town network has chosen Crystal Palace for the UK launch of his new book, appropriately called “The Power of Just Doing Stuff”.

Locally grown food might be something that rural communities are used to, but not exactly what you would expect to hear about in urban environments. A Patchwork Farm is taking off in Crystal Palace, where a network of community and private gardens are coming together to provide very local food for the new food market.

The Patchwork Farm stall at Crystal Palace’s new food market is only three weeks old and already has sold strawberry plants grown from a school garden, surplus seedlings from a local allotment, produce from local back gardens, foraged edibles from the surrounding area, and mixed salads and herbs from the community garden 200 metres away. Locals have started to turn up at the stall bearing plants from their own gardens. Money raised is either given back to the growers or used to fund more local growing projects.

In the Power of Just Doing Stuff, Rob argues that what we now expect from the future is very different from a few years ago. “The world is changing very fast, and the signs are all around. It’s in the rising cost of your weekly shopping, the fuel for your car or your energy bills,” he says.

“Transition proactively sets about creating a post-growth economy from the bottom up. It doesn’t just accept that we have to grit our teeth for five more years of ever-more-soul-crushing austerity before, magically, we return to growth,” he says.

“Who might be riding to the rescue of the economy in the place where you live? The stories I want to tell in this book are about what happens when ordinary people decide that they are the cavalry. They don’t wait for anyone’s permission. They just do stuff. Imaginative, playful, serious and world-changing stuff.”

“The Power of Just Doing Stuff - How Local Action Can Change the World”, explains the philosophy which has inspired thousands of people to take responsibility for the well-being of their community. It tells stories of food hubs, energy schemes and community enterprises which are transforming lives from Brixton to Brazil, and it explains how you can do it too.

Rob Hopkins says: “Transition is a new Big Idea for our times, the idea that by taking back control over meeting our basic needs at the local level we can stimulate new enterprises – new economic activity – while also reducing our oil dependency and carbon emissions and returning power to the local level.”

Just seven years after the first Transition Town was established in Totnes, Devon, ordinary people have formed more than 1200 Transition communities in 40 countries, setting up grassroots projects to stimulate their local economy, cut carbon and reduce their energy dependence.

Greenhouse PR is delighted to be working with the Transition Network team for Rob's book launch. 

We expect a lot of positive coverage to be published over the coming weeks as Rob completes his Transition Thursdays tour around the UK, and some of the early coverage highlights include: 

Local, self-sufficient, optimistic: are Transition Towns the way forward? - Guardian

Communities 'lead new movement' - Press Association

Thousands turn up for Festival of Nature - Bristol Post

Father’s Day is fast approaching and, unlike Christmas with it’s helpful chocolate countdown, you’re often left unaware of the approaching present buying until it’s too late and you buy something rubbish from the corner shop. So here is your warning. Father’s Day is Sunday 16^th June. Not only that but here are five fantastic dad-appropriate gifts. Hopefully they will make up for the leftover Easter egg you got him last year.

Organic Homme 'Good to Go' Travel Kit

Top to toe natural grooming on the go from organic beauty brand Green People. Made with natural, fairly-traded and organic ingredients, these skin treats are suitable for all skin types, even sensitive skin. The organic travel kit contains: Scrub it Exfoliator (50ml), Shave Now (dual purpose), Wash and Shave (50ml), Cool Style Shower Wash (50ml) and Itch Away Shampoo (50ml). A great gifts for vegetarian or vegan fathers!

Vegan Shaving Kit

Sticking with grooming for now, this complete wet shaving kit from EthicallyEngineered is the real deal. Not only do you get a safety razor and blades, a vegan shaving brush and organic shaving soap (made with solar power) but it all comes beautifully packaged in a box made from reclaimed wood from old Chicago buildings. Nice.

Used Tyre Belt

No one wants to see dad’s builder’s bum. So get him one of these awesome belts made from 100% recycled material. Hand made in Italy, each one is different and can be made from inner tubes, old seat belts, bike tyres, aluminium bolts and antennas. 

Black Bamboo Aviator Sunglasses

Now these are seriously cool. Made with sustainable and fast growing bamboo and UV400 lenses, these shades will make your old man look and feel like a star. And with the weather looking like it’s finally realised that it’s June, these will be worn and loved instantly.

Recycled Aluminium Coasters

If trendy eyewear isn’t your dad’s thing then these coasters might be more appropriate. Made in Northern Indian by a FairTrade company, these recycled coasters are ethical as well as a bit flash. You should probably buy him a beer or two to try them out.

Happy Father's Day!