The Transition Handbook by Rob Hopkins

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I think this may be one of the most important and stunningly motivating books I have ever read on the subject of permaculture, in this case through the lens of peak oil and climate change, and what we can do about it. This book is a powerful call to action and it faces the greatest challenges that humanity has ever had to look at with optimism and empowerment. Absolutely recommended to anyone hoping to take an informed and responsible perspective on this tremendous shift in human history.

From the back of the book :

We live in an oil-dependend 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 thinking ahead to plan for when the supply is not so plentiful. Most of us avoid thinking about what happens when oil runs out (or becomes prohibitively expensive), but The Transition Handbook shows how the inevitable and profound changes ahead can have a positive oucome. These changes can lead to the rebirth of local communities that will grow more of their own food, generatie their own power, and build their own houses using local materials. They can also encourage the development of local currencies, keeping money in the local area.

There are now over 35 formal Transition Initiatives in the UK, including towns, cities, islands, villages, and peninsulas, with over 500 globally at the earlier stages of launching this process. The growth in interest in the Transition model continues to be exponential. With little proactivitiy at government level, communities are taking matters into their own hands and acting locally. Within peak oil and climate change is the potential for the greatest economic, social and cultural renaissance we have ever seen. And it's fun. In his Foreward, Richard Heinberg describes the Transition approach as being "more like a party than a protest march". If you r community has not yet become a Transition Initiative, this upbeat guide offers you the tools to get started.