Why A Post-Carbon City?

Imagine a world of darkness. You flip the light switch, but nothing happens. Electricity no longer exists because our addiction to fossil fuels has fueled us to use them up. Even the days are gloomy because the sky is blanketed with thick brown clouds of pollution. You look around and see only cement and skyscrapers. There is nothing green in sight. Forests are extinct; all were cut down to accommodate the ever-growing human population that has taken over the earth. This overpopulation coupled with overconsumption has led to extreme shortages in food and water. Sea levels have risen by 5 feet, displacing millions of families and ruining entire ecosystems. This is our future if we continue on the path we are on today. However, it's not our only option. Post-carbon cities offer us a creative strategy to avoid this bleak future.

Good Day to you, Green Fields

Morning Cup of Community

By: Amber Manuwa

Hazily opening my eyes, the sunlight filters through the white sheer curtains and fills my bedroom with a beautiful morning yellow. Lying in bed for a few minutes, I hear through my open window a couple of the neighborhood children playing superheroes outside. It’s Saturday morning rising out of bed and walking to the kitchen, I fix myself a cup of tea and munch on some strawberries with sourdough toast. Taking my petite déjuener outdoors, I read the news at the farm table on the grass that has replaced the ripped out asphalt and sidewalk that once made up my street. Contentment and awe bubble up inside me and makes me smile from ear to ear. With the view of the city to my right and the ocean to my left I think, “Life could not get any better than this!” My head suddenly comes down from the clouds “Good morning,” I cheerfully greet the parents of the two little superheroes as they stroll over to join me. Conversation consumes my morning the community garden, the skill resilience program, and the free concert tonight at the town center makes up a few of the topics. As I part ways, I ponder how none of these facets of the neighborhood would of been possible without community involvement and support. Grabbing my basket, which I weaved at the skill resilience workshop, I head to the community garden to forage for a few lunchtime ingredients.