<div><p>We find ourselves between a rock and a hot place—compelled by the intertwined forces of peak oil and climate change to reinvent our economic life at a much more local and regional scale. <I>The Resilience Imperative</I> argues for a major SEE (social, ecological, economic) change as a prerequisite for replacing the paradigm of limitless economic growth with a more decentralized, cooperative, steady-state economy.</P> <p>The authors present a comprehensive series of strategic questions within the broad areas of:</P> <UL> <LI>Energy sufficiency <LI>Local food systems <LI>Interest-free financing <LI>Affordable housing and land reform <LI>Sustainable community development</LI></UL> <p>Each section is complemented by case studies of pioneering community initiatives rounded out by a discussion of transition factors and resilience reflections.</P> <p>With a focus on securing and sustaining change, this provocative book challenges deeply embedded cultural assumptions. Profoundly hopeful and inspiring, <I>The Resilience Imperative</I> affirms the possibilities of positive change as it is shaped by individuals, communities, and institutions learning to live within our ecological limits.</P> <p><B>Michael Lewis</B> is the executive director of the Center for Community Enterprise and is well-known internationally as a practitioner, author, educator, and leader in the field of community economic development.</P> <p><B>Patrick Conaty</B> is an honorary research fellow at the University of Birmingham and a director of Common Futures. Since 1999 he has worked for the new economics foundation (nef), where he has produced a wide range of publications about predatory lending, financial inclusion, community land trusts, and social venture finance.</P><BR></DIV>