Rob Hopkins (UK):
This involves looking at what I call the Head, the Heart and the Hands of Energy Descent.
By the Head I mean the concepts of peak oil, arguments for and against localisation as well as any historical examples that we can learn from.
The Heart refers to exploring how to actually engage communities in a positive and dynamic way, how to use peak oil as a tool for empowerment rather than leaving people feeling helpless. This part of the exploration is about how to actually facilitate change, and the dynamics of cultural transformation.
The Hands refers to the practical aspects, could the UK become self sufficient in food and how? How much well managed woodland would it take to heat a town with efficient CHPs? Can local materials be used to retrofit houses?