A generational transition has begun which will deal with and partially resolve these issues.  The world will be vastly different than it is today.  Just as the button down 1950’s didn’t look like the wild 1960’s, which didn’t look like the conservative years which followed; the following 20 years won’t look like the last 20.  Americans view time as a continuum divided into small incremental changes leading to an always better future.  That view is wrong and is part of the reason why people feel paralyzed to be able to act on these issues.  The phrase “history doesn’t repeat but it rhymes” is appropriate here.  Life is cyclical, and by studying history’s cycles we can have some insight into the future.  By viewing time linearly we fall into the trap that things will somehow just plod along and we’ll get through somehow.  Well we will get through somehow because there really isn’t any alternative, but by learning from the past we can take a proactive position in dealing with the future.

Having faith in governments to deal with these issues meaningfully is naïve at best.  It is rather obvious that if governments dealt with any of these issues before we wouldn’t be in the position that we are now.  Hurricane Katrina showed that we cannot always rely on our government.  Katrina was a short term event;  imagine a global or national multi-year event which is what we are currently facing and you see what would be expected; inaction.   This isn’t all bad, though.  Relying on governments or any institutions gives them power over us.  By taking control of our own destinies to the extent that we can, is both meaningful and productive.

Americans tend to view anyone which doesn’t have a positive view of the future as some sort of a wacky doomsdayer.  So many peoples utter lack of realty in facing what lies ahead is disturbing.  Whether wrapped in the flag and having utter faith in American exceptionalism or basing your worldview on some select scripture the result is the same.  Inaction; someone else will solve the problem.  Bad things only happen to other countries.

People accept that they have to strip in front of a TSA employee in order to safely fly to Dubuque, but try convincing them that we have a fragile food supply train and you get a stare like you’re crazy.  Two thirds of our oil is imported and therefore only partially under our control.  Our excessive spending and deficits are financed by foreign countries.  This can’t and therefore won’t continue forever.  If for whatever reason our oil supplies were disrupted for any length of time we could quickly find our supermarkets empty of food.  If anybody thinks we will keep our store shelves stocked with radicchio from California by fleets of electric powered semis is delusional.  Alternative fuels won’t fill the gap to continue living the lifestyle we’re currently living.  This isn’t good or bad in and of itself, its just reality.  Barring any rapid unexpected drop in oil imports, we are assured of the gradual decline from peak oil.

The years ahead are going to be bumpy and discomforting in many ways.  They are also going to be a time to reevaluate our relationship with each other and the earth.  I feel that ultimately we will be living a healthier more meaningful life.  It won’t be one with as many material possessions or with as big of houses or as many of cars.  This is positive; we need to consume less for both the health of the earth as well as our own psychological well being.  Segments within our population have started dealing with this both individually and as groups.  Vermont has a local food movement which is an extremely positive sign.  There are also several active charities which distribute food donations.  Vermont Garden Exchange hopes to be another piece of this food puzzle.  VGE is meant to build networks of backyard gardeners which trade food, fuel, and fiber.  The intention is to foster reliance on ourselves as producers and our neighbors.

This allows as many people as possible to participate in whatever form they choose.  An elderly or disabled   person could participate by canning or baking in exchange for produce.  Somebody with a woodlot could trade a cord of wood for an agreed upon amount of produce or dairy products.  Somebody may trade wool for twenty pounds of deer meat.  Whatever anybody chooses.  I personally have never been a group participant or a joiner.  VGE is meant to allow anybody to exchange and participate individually with anybody else to whatever extent that they choose.  If VGE succeeds in its intent, participants will help build a self reliant network of food producers so food isn’t wasted, variety is increased and community spirit is fostered.  If truly hard times do come, we will be in a better position to deal with them.  If hard time never comes, we will still be eating healthy food and saving money and hopefully get to know people in our community.