• About
  • Archive
  • Contact
The Greening of Gavin
  • Home
  • Our Green Shop
    • Little Green Workshops
  • Green Workshops
    • Cheese Making
    • Soap Making
    • Soy Candle Making
  • eBooks
    • Clay Oven eBook
    • Keep Calm and Make Cheese eBook
  • Podcast
    • TGOG Podcast
    • TGoG Podcast Archive
    • Little Green Cheese
  • Vlog
  • Cheese
  • Green Living
    • Chickens
    • Gardening
    • Soap Making
    • Recipes
    • Climate Change
    • Peak Oil
    • Solar Power
  • Resources

Suburban Resilience

October 26, 2011 @ 22:44 By Gavin Webber 5 Comments

 I have been thinking a lot lately about this series of posts.  You know the type of thinking, really deep and meaningful sort of stuff.  I have been imagining possible futures, researching case studies, and thinking about the present events around the globe.

Then I came across this quote by Rob Hopkins, founder of the Transition Town movement.

“If we wait for the governments, it’ll be too little, too late; if we act as individuals, it’ll be too little; but if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.”

The quote really rang loud and true in my mind, except that I personally believe that individual action also has its place in leading by example.  I have been following Rob’s work in the Transition Town movement with interest, and believe that it is a great model that has merit simply by bringing the community together and building resilience.  But what is resilience and what does it mean in this context?  Let me show you a very good video on the subject to help you understand.  It has a good message that is easy to fathom.

So individual and community resilience is the key to riding through the approaching shit-storm, making changes for the better, doing something useful with what we have, and in our case the suburbs. By learning new skills, building community bonds that strengthen our sense of belonging and common purpose, we will be able to retrofit our vast suburban wasteland, and re-purpose it into a liveable and thriving landscape that will provide for everyone who lives in it.

The suburbs will remain in physical form, but not in the way we are used to.  By being creative, adopting permaculture practices to transform the landscape into an edible one, and by building community resilience via similar Transition Town/Village/City type actions, we will go a long way towards making them better places to live.  No more sterile wastelands, but places with a beating heart full of local resources, and filled with happy, productive people getting on with their role in their very own community!

“The bend in the road is not the end of the road unless you refuse to take the turn.” – Unknown

Well that is the way I see it going down, even if many others don’t.  Penny for your thoughts?

Will this article help someone you know? If so help them out by sharing now!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: community, Suburbs

← Mousse and Carrots Suburban Skills – My Skills →

About Gavin Webber

Gavin Webber's daily goal is to live a more sustainable lifestyle, in an effort to reduce his family's environmental footprint so we can all make a difference for our children & future generations to come.

Learn more about him here and connect with him on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Comments

  1. dixiebelle says

    October 27, 2011 at 07:16

    This is exactly what we have been trying to do for the last 2 or 3 years! It can be hard to build community resilience if you can’t find community members who feel the same way you do. The TT Group here was a joke… too many power plays & more talk than action! We’ve had to just keep on doing individual work to build our own urban homestead, and slowly we’ve found others who feel the same as we do in our area. At some point when The Great Awakening occurs, we’ll be able to teach & help others. We call ourselves Survironmentalists (def. on my blog) and this means we are seen as weird by the ‘greenies’ and the ‘preppers’ and most def. we seem crazy to regular folk! Now I run a group called The Urban Homesteaders, and though not all started ‘urban homesteading’ because of post peak oil/ climate change/ preparation for the future, they at least know about & understand the concepts.

    I’ve noticed that these issues that we’ve been blogging about for years, Gavin, are becoming more & more known about… even if people are not willing to make changes just yet!

    Reply
  2. Moonbeams and Eco-Dreams says

    October 28, 2011 at 04:34

    Hi Gavin. Those of us who are thinking about this stuff now, and forging those connections, will have a role in helping others in the future. I’m just getting started and have a lot of catch up to do. I hope there is enough time…

    Reply
  3. Gavin says

    October 28, 2011 at 22:10

    @ dixiebelle. Keep on plugging away at the problem, you are doing great work up there in Canberra. I agree about some TT groups here in Australia, they have not achieve the results that they have in the UK, but I think there may be some exceptions (can’t find any examples). More and more people are listening, and learning and we must be fairly close to the Great Awakening, because I can feel it in my water! 😉

    @ Moonbeams and Eco-Dreams. It is never too late to learn the required skills, as there are lots of people to learn from who are willing to help.

    Gav x

    Reply
  4. cityhippyfarmgirl says

    October 30, 2011 at 12:34

    I still have faith in the little changes that people make, new skills people take up and slowly spread the word on to others will help. Nothing makes me happier than hearing someone has changed their way of thinking, or living for something more sustainable.
    Enough and in time?… *sigh*

    Reply
  5. Linda says

    November 1, 2011 at 20:53

    Hi Gavin, Yet again an interesting post. Dixiebelle, I hate to sound unenlightened but what is a ‘prepper’?

    Reply

Comments build lively communities. Let me know your thoughts, but keep it clean and green! Spam is removed instantly. Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search This Blog

Follow my work

About Gavin Webber

About Gavin Webber

An Ordinary Australian Man Who Has A Green Epiphany Whilst Watching A Documentary, Gets a Hybrid Car, Plants A Large Organic Vegetable Garden, Goes Totally Solar, Lowers Consumption, Feeds Composts Bins and Worms, Harvests Rainwater, Raises Chickens, Makes Cheese and Soap, and Eats Locally. All In The Effort To Reduce Our Family's Carbon Footprint So We Can Start Making A Difference For Our Children & Future Generations To Come.

Delve Into the Archives

Visit Our Online Simple Living Shop

Little Green Workshops

Latest Podcast Episode

Subscribe on iTunes

Top Posts & Pages

How To Remove Scaly Leg Mites
Strawbridge Family Inspiration
Selling Your Own Soap in Australia
Repeat After Me. I Will Never Plant Potatoes With Pumpkins Again
Broad Bean Rust
Clay Oven First Layer
Black Aphids On Garlic
The Seven Stages Of Change
Chicken Hygiene
Quince Paste

Recent Awards

Recent Awards

Local Green Hero

Categories

Favourite Daily Reads

Debt Free, Cashed Up, and Laughing

The Off-Grid Solar House

Greener Me

The Rogue Ginger

Little Eco Footprints

Down To Earth

Surviving the Suburbs

Little Green Cheese

Eight Acres

The Witches Kitchen

TGOG Readers On-line

Podcast Reviews

  • Always inspiring and entertaining!
    August 4, 2016 by floriographer from Australia

    I've crowed about Gavin's podcast before but I just have to recommend it once again - I love that he shares his learning as well as his successes - it helps the rest of us try try try again! Thanks Gavin!

  • ms
    July 22, 2016 by Ketaea12 from New Zealand

    I really enjoy listening to Gavin, he has a kind lovely voice. He covers some great relevant topics for the everyday greenie. With lots of tips or how to or what not to do. Thanks Gavin, love it!!

  • Well worth your time to tune in
    October 23, 2015 by A Vision Splendid from Australia

    I can highly recommend Gavin’s podcast ! I have followed Gavin’s blog since the very beginning and have loved to see his journey unfold. Gavin has a lovely speaking voice so this podcast is always very easy to listen to. Gavin has a very authentic approach to his green living lifestyle. He shares the ups and downs but always provides motivation and practical steps that we can all implement.

  • very good
    June 28, 2015 by Scared pax from United Kingdom

    This is a great podcast if you want to improve your life in so many aspects and become a more sustainable person. I love the soothing voice, the good pace, and it contains lots of useful information. Recommended!

  • opened my eyes
    May 25, 2015 by Gorn4lyfe from Australia

    A wonderful show!

  • Inspiring
    April 30, 2015 by Alan Whelan from Ireland

    This is a great podcast if you're looking for practical info on saving money by living more sustainably from someone who's made that journey over the last few years. Told in a nice, easy conversational style

  • Green Living, inspiring and practical
    January 8, 2015 by EliseMac from Australia

    Thanks Gav for sharing what has (and hasn't) worked along your journey for living a greener lifestyle. Inspiring and achievable for anyone, I look forward to this podcast weekly.

  • Local food equals less waste
    December 27, 2014 by allotmentadventureswithjean from Australia

    Another brilliant podcast from Gavin Webber encouraging us, and showing us how, to cut down on food miles, growing our own food, and cutting down on food waste. Gavin is a really interesting speaker, showing us how to eat better, growing our own food and how to live more sustainably.

  • Honestly australian
    December 15, 2014 by HodgepodgeOz from Australia

    Fantastic podcast, with a wide variety of well thought and researched topics. Gavin is a honest, forthright pod aster with a genuine interest in helping others get green. Like a day alongside is a day wasted, so too is a week without listening to Gavin. Highly recommended for people starting out, or those in the midst of their new lifestyle. Keep it up Gavin, wish there were more great reviews! Kimberley

  • Morning motivation
    December 8, 2014 by Bunnyworm from Australia

    Gavin has a great passion for living this greener lifestyle that motivates others to do the same. The podcasts are always interesting and informative. :)

  • Passionate Advocate
    October 18, 2014 by BoomOpGirl from Australia

    Gavin's enthusiasm and passion for creating a more sustainable world is nothing short of contagious. Thanks Gav, you are my weekly source of motivation for living a sustainable life! :)

  • Gavin speaks from the heart
    October 13, 2014 by Green gavin from Australia

    Gavin's podcasts are required listening for anyone planning to live a more sustainable life. He doesn't preach, but tells you his story from the heart. You'll laugh, smile, share in his concerns and along the way you'll pick up some great tips on living a simple life.

  • Green thoughts, so well iterated
    October 9, 2014 by Kwasikwami from Australia

    This is a wonderful podcast. Not only does Gavin talk knowledgeably on a range of sustainability topics from gardening tips all the way to the issues facing humanity as a whole, but he does so in such a wonderful voice, it's like listening to my Dad, love it!!

  • Easy listening inspiration on being green
    September 24, 2014 by Broomedy from Australia

    Gav knows how to share his journey to a more sustainable life in a manner that shows just how easy it really is. Not to mention healthier, economically beneficial and generally rewarding. The podcasts are an easy way to absorb Gav's great lifestyle. I recommend to anyone.

  • Thanks Gavin!
    August 31, 2014 by Honeywoodmilk from Australia

    Great practical advice for a greener lifestyle. This podcast is for anybody interested in growing their own food in suburbia, saving electricity, brewing beer, making cheese, all that wonderful business and most of all, saving money! Thanks Gavin, love the podcast mate!

  • Enjoyed those ideas for staying warm
    August 15, 2014 by enduringdragon from United States

    Like you we are having winter here in Chile—brrr! Every bit we can save on heating we will.

  • Green Podcasts
    July 26, 2014 by Carneu from Australia

    Excellent podcasts, which are full of information to help get started on a sustainable lifestyle.

  • Practical ideas and inspiration
    July 19, 2014 by HeathrowHeath from Australia

    I highly recommend Gavin's podcast and blog. Down to earth, entertaining and inspirational. Thank you.

  • Interesting & easy to listen to
    April 27, 2014 by Velocity3 from New Zealand

    Gavin & his guests make this green journey lots of fun.

  • Great green listen
    April 18, 2014 by Obscurenickname from Australia

    Gavin is a great down to earth, tell it like it is aussie with a passion for sustainability and growing food and making cheese

Carbon Offset website

Copyright - Gavin Webber © 2023