Oil Free Towns

Spurred on by the looming threat of peak oil, a growing number of towns in Britain are moving toward an oil free future by "relocalizing" food, energy, transport, and their economies. Rural towns such as Totnes, Falmouth and Stroud led the way, but have since been joined by towns such as Forest Row, Bristol, and London's Brixton district have joined.

The towns are conducting workshops with local businesses to see how they can reduce their dependence on oil. Citizens are attending workshops that teach such skills as urban gardening, bread baking and sock darning.

The towns are drawing on their experiences during World War II when Britain endured a prolonged fuel shortage forcing people to become more self sufficient. Older residents who lived through the period are being interviewed to create an oral history archive of skills necessary for self sufficiency.

The towns maintain a Transition Towns Wiki site where the towns discuss ideas and pass on tips on making the transition work.