Part II

Book #2 is:
Plan C: Community Survival Strategies for Peak Oil and Climate Change
Pat Murphy.

This is the book for people who want statistics. It is a lot more complex than the previous book. There are unfortunately not as many specific tips or guidelines for the average individual to implement. But there are a few different suggestions and areas covered in more detail - such as rough guidelines for retrofitting houses to be more efficient. There is a chapter on the "Smart Jitney" transport system, which is a way to provide rides to people using current cars (a little like a taxi service but more sophisticated and allowing for more people per vehicle). It would significantly reduce the use of private cars. There's a long section on what foods are grown and manufactured in the US (and how bad this all is). There is also a long (and somewhat tedious) section on how terrible the American media is...which I have no doubt is true, at least to some degree. We here in Casa de Lueer do not own a TV, but I watch a number of shows online, and Marcus watches a lot of kids' DVDs (all of which are commercial-free, but provide some influences, I suppose). And of course we are Internet addicts here, with Chris also addicted to reading a lot of news - no doubt censored by biased corporations. Marcus, given the opportunity, would probably spend most of his time either watching shows or playing computer games.

So, in summary, I think that this is an interesting and useful book that can complement "Depletion and Abundance", but if you want one book with a more personable feel and day-to-day suggestions, stick with Sharon Astyk. This one is more...academic.

Three books about upcoming changes.

I haven't read them all yet. I've read one and am working on another. The subject matter: peak oil, climate change, and what's going to happen next. I think I previously mentioned my urge to take this all seriously. When I get done reading these books, I'll decide where I need to go next in terms of learning and practicing new skills. It may seem a little radical, but I think that ignoring the facts and going about life in the same way we've been doing for years is a mistake. It's better to be prepared, as much as possible.

So, book #1:
Depletion and Abundance: Life on the New Home Front
Sharon Astyk.

This was a fascinating read for me. I'm anxious about this whole subject (not knowing what to expect or how to prepare), and this book gave me some ideas. The author gives some relevant information about peak oil and climate change without going on and on about it, IMO. It has enough info to hopefully inform the average person but isn't heavily laden with statistics (I believe book #2 in my list is better in that regard). It's personable, written from the POV of a mother wanting to protect the next generation - which we're sadly not doing. It does have a slight peppy "Kum ba yah" feel to it at times, when she's heavily promoting the importance of small communities and neighbors - but this may be just some cynicism on my part, having grown up without such relationships. I have no doubt that they will be more important in a post fossil fuel life.