About Us

If these don’t answer your questions, you can also check out our FAQ page.

What are we about?

We are part of an international, grassroots network called The Transition Network.

We follow the Transition Towns Model developed by Rob Hopkins in The Transition Handbook. You can read more about The Transition Handbook and the guiding principles behind this system at Rob Hopkins's Transition Culture website.

Our Mission Statement: Transition Carrboro-Chapel Hill is a group of individuals and organizations growing a pathway toward a positive local future that meets our needs in the context of the challenges of climate change, economic downturn, and the end of cheap oil.

Who are we?

Transition Carrboro-Chapel Hill is composed entirely of volunteer members from the Chapel Hill/Carrboro community. Our members are concerned about the challenges that our area may face as a result of climate change, and they want to make a positive contribution to the resilience of their community.

Where are we?

We are located in the Chapel Hill and Carrboro area of central North Carolina.

What do we do?

Transition Towns is a process through which the community (individuals, organizations, businesses, and government) is brought together to be the solution to the challenges posed by climate change and the end of cheap oil. This process begins with 12 steps, starting with the formation of a steering committee that raises awareness, introduces the initiative to other groups, and organizes the kick-off or Unleashing. Our Unleashing was on May 15, 2010.

After the Unleashing, action groups are formed by interested community members. These groups take on projects in specific areas, such as food, energy, transportation, health, etc. Our Unleashing resulted in the formation of several action groups.

Eventually, all the action groups work together to write an Energy Descent Action Plan that is tailored to the local community.

So how is it that we have all the answers? (A Cheerful Disclaimer)

Just in case you were under the impression that Transition is a process defined by people who have all the answers, you need to be aware of a key fact: We truly don't know if this will work. Transition is a social experiment on a massive scale. What we are convinced of is this:

  • If we wait for the governments, it'll be too little, too late
  • If we act as individuals, it'll be too little
  • But if we act as communities, it might just be enough, just in time.

Everything that you read on this site is the result of real work undertaken in the real world with community engagement at its heart. This site, just like the transition model, is brought to you by people who are actively engaged in transition in a community. People who are learning by doing - and learning all the time. People who understand that we can't sit back and wait for someone else to do the work. People like you.

How can I participate/contribute?

  • Join our mailing list.
  • Join one or more of our action groups
  • Come to our events, learn, and share your thoughts! see the calendar for our upcoming events
  • Help spread the word: Tell your friends, co-workers, etc. about the events that are going on.
  • If you are not interested in joining TCCH, but would still like to contribute to our cause, you can help us by donating towards our operational expenses at the Donate page.
  • If this sounds like the opportunity you've been waiting for and you're ready to commit some time and energy to it, we can really use more members on the action groups.

Where can I learn more about Transition Towns?