How Can Cities Adapt to Peak Oil?

25 August 2005 - 2:00pm

Cities must begin to plan now for the coming decline in affordable gasoline and natural gas supplies.

"The biggest obstacle to energy independence is the massive proliferation of sprawl: low-density, use-separated development far from the centre of town, often on prime farmland. The loss of the best land means cities are more dependent on poorer quality farmland that not only needs big inputs of petroleum based fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation, but also is more susceptible to crop failure due to changing climate. At the same time, the built environment is extremely difficult to live in and navigate without private vehicles."

Source: From the Wilderness, August 25, 2005
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These bold initiatives, while important steps, need to be part of a much broader food planning effort.