The most sustainable cultures are those that are most primitive. It is modern global culture that consumes and damages most. Sustainable cultures are local cultures that have little dependency on the environment outside their own territory.

Lifebelt is a research project intended to review and adapt our approach to a number of aspects of modern life. Our towns and cities in the UK are surrounded by land which as been designated as greenbelt. The purpose of the greenbelt is to protect over-expansion and to maintain the amenity of accessible countryside. The land is, on the whole, underused and almost always undervalued. Lifebelt proposes an alternative strategy. Food and water, energy, transport and waste can all be handled locally. By adapting the greenbelt to deal with the inputs and outputs of towns the benefits are exponential. Such a strategy has a profoundly positive impact upon local economics and social well being. The same issues which work to escalate consumption can be employed in the favour of local systems. Reduced food miles means, local employment, less packaging, less waste, reduced transport emissions, less traffic, clearer roads etc. Lifebelt research will aim to propose real viable strategies for adapting small and medium sized towns towards self sufficiency.