Living Economies

Many people involved with Transition Towns have come to realise that creating a local currency is part of the mix for promoting resilience in their communities.  For some the issue is possibly in the ‘too hard’ basket, or not seen as a priority.  Others will have attended presentations last April by the Japanese currency expert “Miguel”, and they may also have viewed the eye-opening film Money as Debt.

International expert in local trading systems “Miguel” Yasuyuki Hirota is visiting New Zealand (10th – 18th April) as a guest of the Living Economies network, an organisation that researches successful models for localizing money systems to strengthen regional economies and make them more sustainable.

“Given the developing instability of the global economy the time is right for local currency systems to flourish.” says Miguel who has travelled the world researching a myriad of innovative exchange systems in a diversity of communities.

"What people don't realise is that any community can create its own money based on the products, services and values of that community,” he adds enthusiastically.

A transition currency is needed to enable economic activities of a transition town initiative, without the obstacles of lack of conventional money. It is also needed to connect up different initiatives throughout the country and internationally.

A transition currency needs to correspond to other principles applied in transition towns, mainly it needs to be sustainable and it needs to be free (not interest bearing). The currency needs to be able to mediate trade in small amounts as well as in large amounts.

Read more here: http://le.org.nz/tiki-index.php?page=TransitionDollar

Money has become the drug of our civilisation. Confronted with this phenomenon, citizens all over the world are inventing complementary currencies for social ends and are opening the debate ”what is money for?”

This is a 54 minute documentary featuring a Timebank in the UK, the German Chiemgauer currency and a local exchange trading system (LETS) in France, showing how money becomes a social tool at the service of people. Interviews with Patrick Viveret, Bernard Lietaer, Dominique Plihon, Héloïsa Primavera Margrit Kennedy and Michael Linton.

This is a delightful little film, looking at the phenomenon of money in both practical and philosophical ways. It asks some pertinent questions and it explains how the current money system works in simple and clear terms. It however doesn't stop there, it goes on to show some of the many experimental complementary currency systems that are being created all over the world.

This is a simple yet powerful introduction to complementary currencies for an uninitiated audience!

Click here for the website of The Two Faces of Money

It would hard to find a more comprehensive and accessible coverage of the issues we must address - soon - in these fast changing times. I can't think of anything missing; nor can I disagree with anything said.

Importantly, this book will hold the interest of those at the beginning of Peak Oil awareness as well as those already well informed. Since it balances serious concern with reasoned hope, readers from both groups are likely to recommend this book to family, friends and workmates. The book would also be an important resource for community groups and local councils planning energy descent strategies, particularly since it integrates all of the vital issues and proposes practical actions.

Those aware of how vital it is to recognise and address the damage caused by the current money system will be impressed with the clarity and accuracy in the chapter on currency design and the economy.

The Post Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook should carry a warning: cooks may need to allow extra time for meal preparation since they may become distracted by the information alongside each recipe.

To get the best from this book I recommend that it be read right through, not cherry-picked. The recipe for post petroleum societies requires that all the ingredients be included if we wish the cake to turn out well.