Patterns for Navigating the Transition to a World in Energy Descent

Presentation at the WECU Education Center on Holly St.

We will explore the world in crisis and chaos as an opportunity for social and spiritual transformation as we form stronger connections to the earth’s natural patterns and to each other.

This presentation will summarize my recent paper written for the upcoming Integral Theory Conference.   The paper considers current concerns about resource depletion (“energy descent”) and the unsustainability of current economic structures, which may indicate we are entering a new era signaled by the end of growth. 

We tend to have horrible visions associated with downturns and "collapse." Can we even entertain the possibility that we might be entering a period of decline in energy and standard of living?  Can we redefine “growth” and learn to expand our consciousness and increase cooperative behaviors as we ride the wave down the peak oil curve.

This presentation will be supported by a new systems thinking tool called PatternDynamics™. Inspired by Permaculture’s emphasis on natural patterns and principles, PatternDynamics combines the patterns of nature with the power of language. The result is a tool which helps us understand and communicate ways of supporting resilience. We will touch on some of the dynamic patterns that could assist us in creatively navigating our way through an energy descending world.

Come support me as I prepare to give this short 20 minute presentation at the upcoming Integral Theory Conference in the Bay area later in July. There will be plenty of time for Q&A after the presentation.

Friday, June 26th

7-9 pm

WECU Education Center
511 E. Holly St.
Free

Please RSVP to let me know if you plan to attend!

DAVID MACLEOD is a member of the PatternDynamics™ Community of Practice and is committed to community resilience as a co-initiator of Transition Whatcom. He was named an “Environmental Hero” by RE Sources for Sustainable Communities, and appointed to a city and county Energy Resource Scarcity/Peak Oil Task Force. He has contributed articles to Resilience.org, Integral Leadership Review, and Beams & Struts. David has been invited to present an academic paper on the topic of tonight’s discussion at the Integral Theory Conference this July in the San Francisco Bay area.  David holds a B.Mus degree from Western Washington University, a Level II (b) accreditation in PatternDynamics™, and a Permaculture Design Certificate. He blogs at integralpermaculture.wordpress.com

Co-sponsored by Transition Whatcom!

Praise for the paper:

"“Really awesome work my friend. Not only is it very thorough scholarship, it tells a very important story...Congratulations David, this work feels like a deep and wonderful expression of your soul." - Tim Winton, creator of PatternDynamics.

"It reads well, packs a punch, and opens the door to further (and hopeful!) discussion." - T. Collins Logan, Integral Lifework

"A very nice paper that very clearly and simply states important principles." - Mary Odum, http://prosperouswaydown.com