The Pleasant Revolution to Obama: No Nukes, No Oil, No Cars, No Coal, No Shit

[Liberation Angel]

In London this week there is a Revolution about to begin.

It is calling itself a PLEASANT REVOLUTION. (Yeah that is a play on words but it fits)

Five Bands are kicking off a European Tour using NOTHING BUT BICYCLE PEDAL POWER to power their amps and move them from city to city (except some mass transit where necessary). Practically ZERO carbon footprint.

Practically ZERO use of hydrocarbons or anything but HUMAN-POWERED ELECTRICITY!!!

And the music is fucking awesome! (Kipchoge Spencer who performed at a Critical mass Rally in Denver during the 2008 Democratic Convention has been called the new Gil Scott Heron for his poetry and style and lyrics and power.

The Gulf disaster, DU and Obama, has taught us that deadly technologies are not rthe way.

We MUST simplify and pare back and rely on ourselves. Otherwise we are all going to be destroyed by a mad corporate energy insanity that will keep gushing death into the atmosphere, soil and water.

And here is how it is done:

One committed human being at a time.

Pare back. Rely on yourself and those you love. Power what you need. Save the Earth.

THIS is the future. The GULF exoeriences (both Mexican and Middle East - the oil;gas paradigm) are the past.

This is the PLEASANT REVOLUTION.

It Begins NOW.

Mount up.

The Pleasant Revolution Bicycle Music Festival Tour: Europe 2010
More than a bike tour or music festival, this is a new movement for an evolving culture of transportation cycling, renewable power, and greener music/community events. The bicycle music festival (BMF) merges a 1200 Watt pedal-powered P/A system, zero use of cars and trucks, and an eclectic crew of world class musicians and volunteers. The entire experience is all human powered by setting up our bikes on stage, connecting them to generators, and having audience members pedal to power the system.

Our tour will pass through the UK, Holland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Czech Republic, France, Spain, Portugal, and and everywhere in between. We are on a mission to lighten up the view of a sustainable lifestyle – from one of sacrifice and restriction to one of abundant health, happiness, and a deeper sense of connectedness: thus, it is the Pleasant Revolution.

The Idea

Our way of life threatens our way of life. “Bigger, faster, more” has run its course, leaving a mountain of environmental and social woes and a void of meaning. Into that void rides the Pleasant Revolution, a transformational way of working and living that restores environmental and cultural vitality and returns deep meaning to ordinary human experience.

These days, everyone is talking about global warming, about how bad things are going to get if we don’t change; and yet hardly anyone straight talks about what the necessary changes are, preferring vague generalities or cutesy “simple things you can do.”

In our explorations of bicycle lifestyle we’ve stumbled upon what we think will be a truth of the coming age: Yes we must change, in some areas drastically so—we must consume less, drive less, throw away less, hate less, fear less. And yet, while superficially this may look like sacrifice, the pursuit of these changes can actually lead to a life that’s more local, rich, humane, fulfilling and happy.

The Pleasant Revolution is a set of evolving ideas, a loose set of principles designed to help answer the question, “What next? How do I live fully and restore the planet in the process?”
Some principles of the Pleasant Revolution:

slow is beautiful, local is profound
sustainable living is richer
we can free ourselves from the culture of fear that drives our consumerism and apathy
fundamental change is necessary and possible
to change the world, we must change our own consciousness and lifestyle
humanity now, perhaps more than in any previous time, has an opportunity to create a new, saner, more loving world
the bicycle liberates


More at links:

http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/event-news/pleasant-revolution-hits-london-in-early-june/5200.html

[Liberation Angel]

1. Why we do NOT need oil, coal, nukes, even cars: (Can someone post this video please?)

Here is the Youtube piece on the Pleasant Revolution which is now starting in London and moving across Europe on bicycle powered badass concert tour: powering their amps and pedalling from gig to gig from London to Germany to France to Spain to Portugal using ONLY bicycles (and occasionally mass transit).

But I am too inept to post this video which explains WHY this is the future and why this is important and where folks can learn more:

THIS is what you can focus on to get away from the suicidal thoughts caused by the Gulf disaster and the oil/gas wars Obama and the Congress insanely continue to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Critical mas has it right. THIS is what our future can be and it CAN be brighter and better.

Can somebody post this in political videoas pulleez???

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZbAIiTZ9bk

Then google search the Pleasant revolution and xtracycle,com and learn how you too can say fuck you to Halliburton, Exxon, GE, Westinghouse, your local energy cartel, nukes, coal, oil drilliers and even your car.

Not kidding.

Serious.

[Teaser]

8. we should attach pedals to the internet

.

[Liberation Angel]

2. kick for support

anyone?

This is about as cool a way to save the earth as possible.

[depakid]

3. Might find more interest in E & E

[Liberation Angel]

5. Yeah - But really I was hoping someone would post the video. They are in London this week

They really are amazing.

I wanted a little more response from the GD crew

And the energy folks are a little obscure sometimes so this was meant to appeal to folks who normally wouldn't post or read the E&E topics

But I get that...

[Zoeisright]

4. This is a great idea. And why would anyone unrecc this?

Feeling snarky this morning, or working for Big Oil?

[Mz Pip]

6. While I certainly agree with the need

for us to become less dependent on fossil fuels, this really isn't a feasible idea for most people. Our dependancy on oil goes far beyond just getting to and from places. There is no way we can just decentralize our economy to the point of not having to rely on the energy sources we now use. Even the bicycles these guys ride are linked to our current energy sources - mining and forging the materials for the frames, whatever mass production is used to build them, shipping them, construction of the stores that sell them, etc.

It would be next to impossible for most people to adopt any kind of self sufficient life style. I doubt there are many people who have the luxury of being able to bike to work. It's great if you live near your work but most people don't. It certainly wouldn't work for people who live 20 miles from work in a climate that gets snow and sleet, or for people who are my age. Our food, even stuff that is grown locally is still shipped to markets and stores. Everything that is manufactured is linked to fossil fuels in some way.

The reality lies in our innovation and the creation of better, cleaner technology. We're making some progress but cutting our dependance to fossil fuels has a long way to go. We really are left with doing the "cutesy"simple things you can do." " I know I do more than most people in my conservation efforts, but I also know that it is impossible for me to leave a zero carbon foot print.

[Liberation Angel]

7. This is not only FEASIBLE but critically needed.

Maybe a zero carbon footprint is practically impossible - but a massive reduction in carbon footprints are possible.

Public policy on mass transit and bike paths and lanes in urban environments - as well as free or rentable bikes in cities - bicycle taxis etc ALL can make a huge difference.

Nothing "cutesy" about this.

The survival of the planet is at stake and we EACH are responsible.

One small step (pedal power) can make a HUGE difference if enough people BELIEVE and PRACTICE sustainable living.

[cliffordu]

9. Kip and the gang started the Xtracycle bicycle cargo conversion company....

www.xtracycle.com

I currently have two of them....

[Liberation Angel]

10. That is very cool

So you know Kipchoge?

What do you se them for?

and have you got the generator hookup?

[cliffordu]

11. I have never met him -

My wife and I use the two we have for groceries - we lived for 22 or 23 of the 27 years we've been together without a car at all....

I have hauled up to 130 or 140 pounds on one....

They are great.