Transition Towns Books & Resources

Whether you are just getting started or wish to delve deep into a particular aspect of the Transition Towns concept there are many resources available to help you. A few of the key books and DVDs are presented here. When you click on a transition town book or DVD below you will also be shown related titles and reviews to help you find what you're looking for.

The Transition Handbook: From Oil Dependency to Local Resilience

Rob Hopkins' ground-breaking guide to transition towns as a response to climate change and peak oil is a must-read to get yourself or your group started.

We live in an oil-dependent world, and have got to this level of dependency in a very short space of time, using vast reserves of oil in the process without planning for when the supply is not so plentiful. Most people don't want to think about what happens when the oil runs out (or becomes prohibitively expensive), but The Transition Handbook shows how the inevitable and profound changes ahead can have a positive effect. They can lead to the rebirth of local communities, which will generate their own fuel, food and housing. They can encourage the development of local currencies, to keep money in the local area. They can unleash a local 'skilling-up', so that people have more control over their lives. The Transition Handbook is the manual which will guide communities to begin this 'energy descent' journey. The argument that 'small is inevitable' is upbeat and positive, as well as utterly convincing. Read this book! More ...

An Australian version of the 'The Transition Handbook' - Creating local sustainable communities beyond oil dependency

Transition Towns founder Rob Hopkins has released a new version of his 2008 groundbreaking The Transition Handbook - From Oil Dependancy to Local Resilience.

This Australian version outlines the philosophy behind the Transition movement and describes the emergence of Transition Towns around Australia and New Zealand, including Transition Sunshine Coast.

The book has three sections:

• The Head explores the issues of peak oil and climate change and how, when looked at together, we need to be focusing on rebuilding resilience as well as cutting carbon emissions. It argues that the focus of our lives will become increasingly local and small scale as we come to terms with the real implications of the energy crisis we are heading into.
• The Heart looks at where we find the personal tools for responding to what can feel like overwhelming challenges. It argues that the key to success will be our ability to generate positive visions of the future, to harness the power of engaged optimism and overcome powerlessness.
• The Hands offers a detailed exploration of the Transition model, setting out its principles, its origins, the 12 Steps of Transition, how they were applied in the first year of Transition Town Totnes, as well as offering a taste of how the model has been applied in a range of other settings. The book also contains lots of 'Tools for Transition', exercises and activities that can help to deepen this work in your community. More ...

Peak Oil Prep: Prepare for Peak Oil, Climate Change and Economic Collapse

How you can help your family, neighborhood and community prepare for Peak Oil, climate change, and economic collapse and live a more sustainable, money-saving lifestyle.

A practical handbook of ideas, suggestions and Internet resources. More ...

Peak Oil Survival: Preparation for Life After Gridcrash

Oil and energy are not limitless resources, and someday the supply will be depleted. Peak Oil Survival shows readers how to plan for the future: how to survive and thrive when the food, transport, and energy industries sputter out. Author Aric McBay gives an essential crash course complete with clear, simple instructions and easy-to-read diagrams. Peak Oil Survival will explain how people can protect their families and strengthen their communities in the event of a crisis - and live comfortably off the grid. More ...

Permaculture: Principles & Pathways Beyond Sustainability

David Holmgren, co-originator of the permaculture concept, said:

"The Transition Towns process is one of the most exciting outcomes of permaculture thinking and action in the world today. ...It promises to be the guide for peak oil and permaculture activists everywhere who are taking action in the their local communities.".

With this in mind, you may like to explore the origins of Tranistion Towns by taking a look at David's introduction to permaculture ...

David Holmgren brings into sharper focus the powerful Permaculture concept be pioneered with Bill Mollison in the 1970's drawing together 25 years worth of ideas into twelve simple design principles. More ...

Powerdown: Options and Actions for a Post-Carbon World

This stark look at prospects for a truly sustainable culture speaks frankly about how it is time to "Powerdown," or to reduce per-capita resource usage in wealthy countries, develop alternative energy sources, and much more. More ...