Our History
In 2008, a handful of neighbors concerned about climate change started discussing how to address it. We started by shifting our own attitudes and habits, and it soon became a group venture—to help mitigate climate change and adapt to its effects. Three goals emerged:
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to reduce our carbon footprint, as individuals and as a neighborhood
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to prepare for severe weather and possible economic instability
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to build our community's resilience—and have fun while doing it.
We learned about the worldwide Transition movement: the cities, towns, and neighborhoods transitioning from a fossil-fueled way of life to more sustainable practices. We discussed books such as Pat Murphy's Plan C and Rob Hopkins' Transition Handbook. (See "Resources" for more.) Then we took the next step.
Reaching out, taking action
Naming ourselves the Energy Resilience Group, we formed in 2009 as a subcommittee of the St. Anthony Park Community Council's Environment Committee, aiming to deepen local awareness of climate change. Over the next few years, we reached out, hosting speakers and a "Green on the Screen" film series. We wrote commentaries for the Park Bugle— now a monthly column. We launched a newsletter and made a splash at SAP's Arts Festivals and Fourth in the Park parades.
At two 2013 community meetings, neighbors gathered around topics of interest. Since then, subgroups have evolved around transportation, sustainable food and land, local economy, land use and housing, home energy, school partnerships, zero waste, emergency preparedness, a Reflective Circle for inner resilience, and end-of-life choices. Some of these are our current areas of action.
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We were also named to the District 12 Neighborhood Honor Roll, and in 2016 won a Sustainable St. Paul Award. Our 2040 Plan visioning process helped inform the SAP Community Council's ten-year plan, adopted in 2018, with equity and climate change the top two areas of focus.
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All along, we've stayed abreast of other movements for environmental, social, and racial justice: 350.org and Saint Paul 350 (now Unidos), oil pipeline resistance, Citizens Climate Lobby, and Black Lives Matter, to name a few. But while many of us take political and social actions individually, the group focuses mostly on building the world we want locally, with some overlap with other Transition Twin Cities groups.
At Lake Como we hosted 20 sustainability groups for an afternoon in July
Raising the banner at a community meeting, Jan. 2013
At Lake Como we hosted 20 sustainability groups for an afternoon in July
Slide show: Our history in pictures
Special events, in many formats
For the all-night Twin Cities Northern Spark festival in 2017, we created an interactive "Grove of Life" art installation in downtown St. Paul.
That July we helped Transition US host their first-ever national gathering, held at Macalester College and drawing over 200 people. Our focus on our local economy dates from that event, and two groups are now seeking ways to invest in sustainable ventures. As we emerged from pandemic lockdown in 2021, we hosted an Emergence Festival at Lake Como. And in 2025 our Collaboration Lab, funded by the SAP Community Foundation, spurred new interest groups.
We've hosted a variety of other events, including expert presentations and resource fairs, community potlucks, poetry readings, a cider pressing, and a celebration of clotheslines. We march in SAP's July 4 parade with a sustainability theme and host interactive activities at our SAP Art Fair booth. We've advocated for accessory dwelling units, involving local architects in a design process. We collaborate with groups like Hampden Park Co-op and the St. Paul Tool Library as well as the SAP Community Council. Can we partner with your group? Let us know: info@TransitionASAP.org.