The vibrant and optimistic mood at the Schumacher centenary festival held in Bristol this weekend was in stark contrast to the doom and gloom characteristic of the current times. Many economies are flat or in decline, the financial system is in crisis and the climate is increasingly erratic, but the bright glimmer of hope for all present was that perhaps now - finally - the time is right for Ernst Schumacher’s philosophies to be turned into realities.

Twice as many visitors as usual were drawn to the event to discuss a world vision that has people and community at its core. Each speaker, whether a lawyer, a politician, a banker or Rob Hopkins, was passionate about communicating the opportunities that are available to every individual to do something that makes a big difference in parts of society that were previously perceived to be inaccessible and unalterable. Good Energy’s Hugo House joined representatives from Solarsense and Bristol Energy Cooperative in discussing with an animated audience about how households can join the energy revolution. There were some challenging questions but all were answered confidently with a consistent message coming from all three organisations – that the power can lie with the people. With tugs of war common when discussing such potentially inflammatory subjects, it was the shared values throughout that made the Schumacher festival so refreshing and invigorating.

If you were unable to make the event or would like to learn more, the Schumacher Society shop sells a collection of carefully researched and clearly written booklets on key aspects of sustainable development. And keep an eye out for a DVD featuring the speakers that is due to be released soon.