Published in The Possible (2016)
There is Hope, but it depends on accomplishing massive transformational change
We have a big problem
The production and use of fossil fuel is in a period of transition from growth to contraction. A rapid contraction is the solution to the problem of global warming. The problem is that we engineers are responsible for the change management of the current fossil-fuel dependent systems, and they didn't teach us how to do that at university.
When a new problem arises, a new engineering addresses it
Transition Engineering is a straight-forward approach which can be learned in a few weeks of training. All engineers will participate in the transition in some way. The key to the approach is to set the resource and environmental constraints as engineering requirements and then innovate, problem-solve, and manage the transition of whatever company or organisation you work for.
Professional Transition Engineers
Transition Engineers design and carry out the projects of change that lead to the future we want. We work from a systems perspective to strategically plan changes to today's engineered systems that downshift the fossil energy they require. Transition involves the whole of society, economy, law, ecology, infrastructure, and energy and material supply chains. We use the Interdisciplinary Transition, Innovation, Management and Engineering (InTIME) Methodology to generate new opportunities through disruptive ideas. These new ideas are developed into shift projects with the mission of long-term engineering and management of the 80% fossil fuel production decline required to realize global warming mitigation targets.
Transition Engineering requires the COP21 Targets be achieved by changing existing systems at the local level.
Proven, Research-based Methodology
Transition Engineering is now covered in four textbooks, 52 peer-reviewed papers, and courses in UK, Germany, France and New Zealand. Transition Engineering has already produced innovative and surprising new technologies and projects for cities, organisations and companies.
Transition to low carbon and high regeneration happens by 100,000 projects in 100,000 places.