Steve Austin is the Vice-president for Community Leadership and Engagement at the Blue Grass Community Foundation. He is working on the Legacy Initiatives including revitalization work in the East End and the Legacy Trail. He has extensive experience in city planning and is a champion for preparations for peak oil. www.steveaustinlex.wordpress.com (The opinions expressed in this commentary are personal and do not necessarily reflect those of the Blue Grass Community Foundation)
Is our future going to be like our recent past? Should we be planning for more of the same?
Many people glibly assume that we are living during a stable, long term pattern and that we
can tweak things, here and there, and, as if preordained, we’ll ride into a “green” future. We’ll
get there via something called a “creative class,” who will use something called “innovation” to
enable us to continue living the life we live now. We are going to “recover.”
But what if?
What if we will have a lot less energy to use?
What if our climate has changed? (Has anyone else notice that 2010 has become the year of
the flash flood in Kentucky? And remember the Hurricane of 08. And the ice storms of….pick a
year. Freaky weather has become the norm….)
What if the story about globalization turned out not to be the right one?
Lexington – and the rest of the world – is entering a new reality. This new reality will demand of
us three things: that we live simply, lightly, and locally.
This isn’t about “values.” I think many people would like to have the whole world live with
ever increasing amounts of energy, a booming economy that grows without end, and an
environment that can take everything we throw at it – nothing but Unicorns and rainbows every
day.
The problem is that isn’t going to happen. It wasn’t happening before the crash, and it isn’t
going to afterward.
So it’s not values, it’s reality. Nature itself is demanding that we find the right balance. We do
have another choice, of course. We can choose to fight reality. But in doing so, we will only
fight every single human on Earth in addition to nature, which is undefeated as of yet. There is
a political party devoted to that, if that’s your choice.
I say our choice in Lexington must be to accept and adapt.
We must begin preparing for the coming low energy future. We must change our planning
philosophy from “growth” to livability. We must redirect our economic focus from globalism to
localism.
Fighting the battles of yesterday will not get us to where we need to be tomorrow . For
example, design standards are important, but energy, climate, and economic fairness
standards are far more important. Who has the courage to fight for those – everyday?
All it will take is nothing more than changing everything – our whole communal vocabulary. The
followers of ProgressLex must help reframe the debate by placing every decision in the context
of local, energy, and environment. Doing so will ensure that Progressives will lead. That’s not too
big a challenge is it?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
As a community we need to think, buy, develop, and innovate locally. Even if there is no fallout from climate change or economic stress from energy shortages, it makes good economic sense. There is no reason why our industry and universities can’t be players in the coming green economy. An “economic triangle” between LEX/LOU/CINCI serviced by rail line is a great idea that would benefit everyone. Who doesn’t want to ride the train to see the Reds play or come from Lou. for a day at Keeneland? Recent wind studies prove Ky is viable for wind turbines and we’re right in the center of the grid, no need for billions of dollars of investment in new lines. Lexington could decide to lead the way in green development. Tax incentives for green industry and builders who develop LEED certified homes. Encourage local food production. Historically, agriculture is our strong point. Not as sexy as high tech, but our region is blessed with ideal land and growing conditions and we’re close to huge markets. Establish a community food processing center and food lab so farmers can market ready to eat food. Stop planning for cars. Every new infrastructure decision should start with “How will this improve walkability/bikeability”. A thriving local business sector will gel around an area where people are out of their cars and walking around. Money spent in local businesses stays in the local economy. Reduce the size and capacity of the city fleet of cars and trucks. There is no need for a V-8 4×4 2 ton truck to be driving around changing air filters. When you look at what makes sense economically, you’ll find that conservation first and foremost always wins.
Here here Rob. I would love to see some of our current city leaders put forth a real initiative to incentivize green efforts, particularly local food production and local energy. As you pointed out, we are really well-suited for this, we just need the leadership out front to provide a vision to get folks on board with. Or maybe we as citizens can provide strong enough leadership to eventually get the city government in line with!