'Think Globally; Act Locally' has been the watch word of the Green movement for a long time. For many years the emphasis was a moral one, protecting such things as biodiversity. Then it shifted to global warming. Now the emphasis is beginning to shift in favour of self interest, as the cost of fossil fuels, food, metals etc. rises inexorable. The number of groups advocating and pursuing sustainable living has mushroomed. The latest, and perhaps the most ambitious, is the Transition Towns movement. What these groups can achieve without government support at local and national level, however, is probably limited. While the political system remains as it is, this support will often be lacking.