Berea:Official Transition Town

Berea receives official Transition Town designation

Special to the Richmond Register

BEREA — Transition Town Berea (TTB) — a local effort to increase the ability of Berea to prosper despite national economic recession, climate change and decreasing supplies of fossil fuels — is now an official Transition Initiative.

Berea joins 133 other communities worldwide that have been recognized by the Transition Network founded in the United Kingdom, for their accomplishments in working to achieve a positive future for their community.

“It is an honor to be included among the towns that are leaders in creatively addressing the problems that the world is facing,” said Richard Olson, chair of Sustainable Berea, the parent organization of Transition Town Berea.

“As only the 13th Transition Town in the United States and the first in Kentucky, Berea is playing an important role in promoting community-based initiatives for sustainability,” Olson said.

Transition Towns focus on actions to increase their resilience — their ability to adapt to external shocks — particularly in the areas of energy, food, water and economy. 

“The recent ice storm and shut down of the electrical grid demonstrated one of Berea’s vulnerabilities,” commented Mark Jeantheau, Sustainable Berea board member. 

By developing local renewable energy sources, reducing the amount of energy used, supporting local farmers and promoting local businesses, communities can increase their resilience to price increases and supply disruptions. 

“Farmers markets, local currencies, buy local directories, and home food storage are among the actions being successfully implemented by Transition Towns worldwide,” said Jeantheau. 

An overview of the Transition Town Berea project and the official announcement of TTB’s official designation will be made at a public presentation 

Residents of Berea and the surrounding area will have the opportunity to join others in the ongoing development and implementation of the Transition Plan.