400 Fruit Trees Project: Wonderful Video from Transition Kilkenny

400 Fruit Trees Project, Kilkenny from Future Proof Kilkenny on Vimeo.

Inspirational Video from Irish Transition GroupI've been known to get pretty enthusiastic about Transition Towns - the community-led movement that is creating grassroots responses to peak oil and climate change. But as the Transition Movement spreads in the US, Australia, New Zealand and Japan - those unfamiliar with the concept may be asking what exactly is it that Transition Towns do? The asnwer, of course, is multifaceted and complex - but the video above explores Kilkenny's 400 Fruit Trees Project, a wonderful and inspiring example of just one Transition project in one Transition Town. Now do you see why I get so enthusiastic? The Aims and Objectives of the fruit tree project provide an insight into just how ambitious Transition Towns are getting:

In addition to providing a lasting memory of the civic celebrations some of the many benefits of the project include:- Honouring Kilkenny’s long history as a famous apple growing region in times past.- Families and communities working together on a practical project that will be a source of pleasure and nutrition in years to come. - Promoting the use of the urban environment as productive spaces for the growing of food. - Providing food and shelter for wildlife, encouraging bio-diversity and enhancing the beauty of the natural environment.- Encouraging the use of local seasonal food for local consumption to reduce food miles, packaging and waste.- Reconnecting adults and children with the sources of their food and educating ourselves on what can be grown in our local environment.- Highlighting the issue of future food security and the need to become more self-reliant and less dependent on imports.- Helping to rebuild a local food economy and inspire innovation and entrepreneur-ship in artisan food production.- Raising awareness of the need to keep carbon dioxide levels below 400ppm and the role that trees can play in tackling climate change.

Pretty exciting, huh? And I repeat - this is one project in one town! Imagine what can be achieved as the movement takes on projects tackling everything from food security to transportation to housing to local economics. Read on for more about the spread of the Transition movement.

Via Transition CultureFurther Reading on Transition TownsIn Transition: The Transition Movement DocumentaryPlanet Green's Green Glossary: Transition TownsTransition Towns Reach the USThe Times Newspaper on Transition Towns and ‘Apocalypse Now’Transition Towns and Cities Emerge in the USTransition Towns New Zealand Gains StrengthTransition Towns Reach JapanTransition Towns Reach New ZealandTransition Town Plants Up Nut Trees for Food SecurityInterview with Rob Hopkins, founder of the movementTransition City BristolThe Transition HandbookTransition Towns Reach AustraliaThe Virtual Orchard Project

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