Energy Prices and Economic Decentralization

Via Larry Gambone at Porcupine Blog. Rob Hopkins, in "Ireland: Energy Scenarios and Beyond," links to a study by Richard Douthwaite and Phoebe Bright: "Energy Scenarios Ireland."

Although one of the four alternative scenarios is called "Localisation," that's somewhat misleading. All four scenarios result in a radically decentralized economy; the only difference is in how hard or soft the landing is. Here are some details from the Localisation scenario:

• Businesses which adapt to doing business with local suppliers and local customers survive.
• Those with the knowledge and skills to repair machinery are in particular demand.
• Everyone with a patch of land starts growing food for personal use and to barter for other services.
• Urban residents invade and squat well located agricultural land.
• Local currencies develop.
• Multinationals decentralise to try and adapt to changing supply and demand....
• Most food is grown at home or supplied from local producers.
• People develop micro-businesses to supply goods or services that can be used to trade for essential needs.