Overview

Because of the inevitable problems we’ll experience as a result of energy issues, we’re going to be challenged profoundly in the ways we live. As a community, we have two choices: we can sit back and wait, or we can respond proactively and begin making real changes that will lead to a more resilient community. The GREAT UNLEASHING is an event that will engage Whatcom County in a collective and committed response, and will kick-off the process of creating a 10-20 year energy descent action plan.

THE GREAT UNLEASHING will be a two-day celebration and extravaganza that will motivate, excite, educate and engage our community in coming together to envision a vibrant, resilient, and dramatically less energy-dependent Whatcom County, and will unleash our collective genius as we start working towards a tangible and compelling plan to get us there.
Admission is a suggested donation of $15. No one turned away for lack of funds - - attend without obligation -- pay what you can! Advance tickets are being sold for $15 at Village Books, The DOWNTOWN Community Food Co-op, and Terra Organica. Admission to Frances Moore Lappe's 4pm keynote is Free, sponsored by Village Books.

Day 1 will have many activities, including a recorded greeting from Rob Hopkins, and keynote talks by the noted author and Transition U.S. board member, Vicki Robin, author Frances Moore Lappe (Diet for a Small Planet), and Transition U.S. board member, Permaculturist, and Executive Director of Daily Acts, Trathen Heckman. You can also expect a parade, exhibits, breakout sessions on numerous themes, and more.

Day 2: Based on our visioning, we’ll begin to form project groups that will address critical issues our community is facing and start the process of articulating an Energy Descent Action Pathway. This will be our roadmap to a future of greater freedom from oil-dependency, much greater local resilience, and a more satisfying personal and community life, and will celebrate and expand on the many positive actions already happening in our
community.

Join us for the PEOPLE POWERED PARADE to the Great Unleashing. At 8:45 am on April 10th, we will leave the La Fiamma parking lot on bikes, unicycles, stilts, rollerskates, feet, and all forms of human transportation, and parade 6 blocks to Bellingham High. Costumes, musical instruments, banners, flags, and kids of all ages are encouraged! Even better-- bike to La Fiamma with your neighborhood and then join the big parade!


The Schedule

Saturday, April 10 - Bellingham High School

8:30 am Gather for Parade (Parking lot between La Fiamma and Farmers Market on Railroad)
8:45 to 9:15 am Parade to Bellingham High School

9:00 am Doors Open

9:30 am Rob Hopkins Recorded Welcome (Bellingham HS Commons)

10:00 – 11:00 am Topical Sessions
- Panel of Elders
- Community Energy Challenge
- Fourth Corner Exchange
- Gardening in Small Spaces
- Peak Oil, Peak Everything
- Made by Hand: The Changing Nature of Work
- Living with Uncertainty
- Local Herbs for Health and Healing

11:15 am to 12:00 pm Keynote: Vicki Robin, Having Enough for Life (BHS Theater)

12:30 to 1:30 pm Topical Sessions
- Introduction to Permaculture
- Healthcare after Peak Oil
- Why Transition, Whatcom? Powering Down as We Follow the Energy Descent Curve
- Changing Transportation Plans: Bellingham and County
- Conversation with Vicki Robin
- Eat Local EVERY Week
- Accelerating the Transition
- Voluntary Simplicity

1:45 to 2:30 pm Keynote: Trathen Heckman , Reverence and Resiliency – The ecology of awakened action (BHS Theater)

2:50 to 3:45 pm Topical Sessions
- Carless in Bellingham
- Feeding Whatcom County after Peak Oil
- Navigating the Great Turning
- Panel of Fairhaven Collegers: The Future We See
- Local, Public Transportation in The Next Generation
- Conversation with Trathen Heckman
- Land-use after Peak Oil
- Tool Libraries and Co-op Shops

4:00 to 5:00 pm Keynote (in partnership with Village Books): Francis Moore Lappe, Getting a Grip—Gaining Clarity, Creativity and Courage for the World We Really Want (BHS Theater)

More Info About The Great Unleashing:

The Great Unleashing: An Overview
General Description of the event, and an "at a glance" outline of the sessions on Day 1.

The Pedal Powered Parade
Come be a part of the pre-event parade on Saturday morning!

The Keynote Speakers: Rob Hopkins, Trathen Heckman, Vicki Robin, and Frances Moore Lappe.
Read their bios, see their photos, and learn what they'll be talking about.

The Breakout Sessions: All the Details
Full details of who, what, when and where for the breakout sessions on Day 1.

Music and Food
Music and food are important. Dana Lyons, Jan Peters, Burke Mulvaney, Youth Jazz Band, and more!

The Exhibits
Read all about the exhibits and exhibitors.

An Overview of Day 2
This is the day when the real work of Transition Whatcom will begin. We encourage everyone who has a strong interest in Transition to prioritize attending Day 2 of The Great Unleashing. It could be among the most important time spent of your entire year.

Sponsors
We couldn't put this event on without our sponsors. Please express your thanks to these generous companies and folks!