Community Action to Change the World is already Happening

Gary Spinks

— 2 min read
Community Action to Change the World is already Happening
Front cover of the book The Power of Just Doing Stuff by Rob Hopkins, Founder of the Transition Movement

The message I'm hearing a lot right now about climate change, the world and making communities better (and more resilient) is this...

"People are concerned about how the world is. But they don't know what to do about it or whether it will make any difference."

The message continues:

"If we want people to act or do something - to help the planet, our environment, nature, our communities and people - we need more stories and better storytelling."

I know this is a topic that many campaigners, journalists, communications professionals, storytellers and activists are interested in.

It's something Dave Betke has raised in his large online GreenMeets community and on LinkedIn.

And others have spoken about it, too.

The good news is we already have a wealth of positive stories we can talk about.

Take one of the earlier books by Rob Hopkins (author of 'From What Is to What If' and Founder of the Transition Movement).

The book is called 'The Power of Just Doing Stuff' (How local action can change the world) and was published in 2013.

So 'stuff' has been happening for many years already.

Here are just a few of the community ideas or Transition projects featured in the book:

  • The Market of Hope in Santander, Spain
  • Transition Town Totnes (Devon, UK) supporting local communities and local economy
  • Transition Streets (knock on neighbours doors and start something)
  • Malvern gas lamp project (England, UK)
  • The Bristol Pound in UK (community currency with a legacy)
  • Ferrara Bicycles (Italy)
  • Transition Sydney (part of Transition Australia)
  • The 'Poiso' in Portalegre, Portugal (unit at local indoor market used as a drop-in centre)
  • Transition Lancaster's 'Fruity Corners' (England, UK)

The book 'The Power of Just Doing Stuff' has many more stories of people and communities coming together to create something (without waiting for governments or local authorities to act).

And more stories and case studies are on the way (as you can see if you read Citizens by Jon Alexander, check out the Antidote Studio work of Matt Golding from Rubber Republic, or visit the ACTionism website).

It would be wonderful to hear from any of the Transition projects featured in Rob's book and discover where their journey over the past decade or so has brought them to.

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