Jonathan Marshall

Jonathan has always been interested in the ecology, and has lived a relatively 'green' life, but starting in 2007, he became much more aware of just how massive the problems are that face us all in the next decade and beyond. He began reading much more about energy depletion, peak oil, over-consumption of goods, the explosion in personal transport, the debt- and growth-based economy, climate change and pollution of the environment. His readings encompassed the works of Jared Diamond, James Howard Kunstler, Jeremy Leggett, Paul Mobbs, David Strahan, Richard Heinberg, David Holmgren, Rob Hopkins, Tim Jackson, and Chris Martenson, among others. He also participates actively in online forums that discuss issues like peak oil, climate change and financial insecurity.

Jonathan began a personal energy descent process in 2007, consisting of massive insulation and draft-proofing of his home, reducing the heating and wearing warm clothes, downsizing his car, driving economically and reducing his car use, cycling more, reducing his consumption of everything from energy to clothes, food and appliances, making biodiesel at home from waste cooking oil from pubs and restaurants, growing fruit and vegetables at home, buying groceries and produce from the local farmer's market instead of from supermarkets, and generally thinking carefully about the impact on the environment of everything he does. He has worked a lot on the psychological preparation for the coming scarcity and expense of energy, food, goods and services. He is a member of the Transition University of Gloucestershire.