Positive energy
In this special issue of Resurgence & Ecologist we explore the theme of energy, how it shapes the world we live in and forms the very fabric of our existence. Energy is at the heart of the crises facing us today, from the rising cost of living to global heating. As efforts to achieve environmental and social justice converge, we need to understand just how energy connects us and all living things.
Setting the path is our Feature Story by The Ecologist editor Brendan Montague, who unpicks the meaning of ‘energy’ from a prism of physics, biology and economics, “We are all stardust bound together with sunlight,” he writes.
In the Ecologist pages Russell Warfield challenges Dieter Helm’s solutions to the energy and climate crises; whilst in Connected Life Felipe Viveros introduces the next generation of Indigenous Earth defenders. We also highlight Positive Action stories from community energy projects
In Wisdom and Wellbeing youth activist Katie Hodgetts speaks to Chris Johnstone on the publication of a revised edition of seminal text Active Hope and Nicky Scott introduces the method of Bokashi composting. Within Art & Culture Sandra Sawatzky presents her 70-metre tapestry on the story of oil.
We hope you enjoy our selection of free articles from this issue of Resurgence & Ecologist magazine.
Featured articles
Watershed Moment
Water is an increasingly scarce resource with pressure on supplies resulting in droughts, crop failure, disrupted trade and land degradation. Yet the role of water on the road to net zero is often overlooked. Adam Wentworth highlights the interdependence of water and energy consumption and the need to create stronger policies to address global challenges.
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Amazon Avengers
As deforestation in Brazil's Amazon hits record highs, Indigenous people are joining forces and forming a movement of movements that is inspiring people the world over. Felipe Viveros meets the next generation of Indigenous Earth Defenders resisting the forces of extractive capitalism.
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Streets Ahead
Rachel Marsh meets the people behind a "Grassroots Green New Deal in action". A project that aims to build a solar power station along the rooftops of a Victorian terraced street. Film-maker Dan Edelstyn declares, "The streets will be an example of what the government could and should be doing right now across the UK."
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Empowering Local Politics
The Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) has produced new guidance for councils on ways to tackle the climate emergency. The recommendations have emerged from the Zero Carbon Britain Innovation Lab and CAT is already working with 150 local councils. Catherine Early reports.
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The Great Turning
Youth activist Katie Hodgetts speaks with Chris Johnstone about the publication of a revised edition of seminal text Active Hope. They explore the 'Great Unravelling' and the 'Great Turning' in the context of activism today and the inner work needed for change to happen.
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The Electrical Language of Fungi
"Do mushrooms talk to each other?" Yasmin Dahnoun reports on new research into the hidden world of the mycelium network. Scientists are learning more about the use of electrical signals to communicate and how those signals react to changes in the environment.
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Picture Credits
Cover image: People Power: Inesperado (2018) by Juan Genovés © DACS 2022 www.juangenoves.com; Watershed Moment: Illustrations © Mitch Blunt/Ikon Images; Amazon Avengers: Célia Xacriabá, photo by Alice Aedy; Streets Ahead: Hilary Powell and Dan Edelstyn outside the Power Station, Walthamstow Photo: Alistair Gentry; Empowering Local Politics: Illustration © Valero Doval/Ikon Images; The Great Turning: Illustration by Graham Franciose @grahambunctious; The Electrical Language of Fungi: Mycelium Network II by Spencer Sass, @spencer.sass
Inside this issue
Article is free for all to view
Welcome
People Power • Marianne Brown
Empowering local communities
Feature article
We are Stardust • Brendan Montague
Knowing how energy determines our lives could shape how we use it
Ecologist
Ecologist Editor's Picks • Brendan Montague
Top stories from The Ecologist environmental news website
Nuclear Weakness • Jim Green
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is putting nuclear power under pressure
The Price of Net Zero • Russell Warfield
Dieter Helm on energy and the climate crisis
A Creative Hub for Climate Justice • Yasmin Dahnoun
A new resource for the climate justice movement
Watershed Moment • Adam Wentworth
Water demand is a major blind spot on the road to net zero
Climate Colonialism • Abigail Abhaer Adekunbi Thomas
Voicing the unique challenges that the African continent faces
Connected life
Amazon Avengers • Felipe Viveros
Meeting the next generation of Indigenous Earth Defenders
The Rush for 'white gold' • Leah Thomas
Communities in the Lithium Triangle are being left behind
Positive Action
Community Energy • Skye Frewin
We need to put power into local hands
Streets Ahead • Rachel Marsh
Reporting on an innovative new solar project
Power in a Union • Kate Bradley
Protecting jobs and the planet can be part of the same fight
The Human Transition • Joan Sullivan
A focus on people building our post-carbon future
Empowering Local Politics • Catherine Early
New guidance helps councils plan for a net zero future
Wisdom and wellbeing
The Great Turning • Katie Hodgetts
An interview with Chris Johnstone on the revised edition of Active Hope
Peace in Ukraine • Satish Kumar
A Swiss solution
Celebrating Gaia • Herbert Girardet
A tribute to the life of James Lovelock (1919-2022)
The Electrical Language of Fungi • Yasmin Dahnoun
Reporting on a new study on mycelial networks
Break it down • Nicky Scott
By using special microbes in compost nothing goes to waste
Art and culture
Artists Put Energy in a New Light • Alice Audouin
A new movement questioning our use of fossil fuels
Oil in a Material World • Sandra Sawatzky
The story behind the 70-metre Black Gold Tapestry
Regulars
Community - News from our Community • Marianne Brown
Actions and projects from the Resurgence community
Letters to the Editors - Letters to the Editor
A selection of letters to the Editor
Archive - Energy in Our Hands • Tseard Zeothout
Celebrating the collective power of a community
Reviews
A Golden Thread of Community • Kate Blincoe
Review of Thunderstone: A True Story of Losing One Home and Discovering Another and Riding Out: A Journey of Love, Loss and New Beginnings
Helping Ourselves • Billy Talen
Review of Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything Is All of Us
The Road Ahead • Andrew Simms
Review of Movement: How to Take Back Our Streets and Transform Our Lives
Lost Frequencies • Chris Garrard
Review of Sounds Wild and Broken
How Oil Took Over Our Lives • Alex McDonald
Review of The Oil Machine
Pilgrimage of the Heart • James Murray-White
Review of The Restorative Spirit: Illuminating the Soul in a Time of Global Awakening
Extinction and Rebirth • Holly Rose
Review of Otherlands: A World in the Making


