Why am I intrigued by the movements of ecovillages, permaculture, and transition towns?
This blog is not meant to contradict or take away from the pressing issues of what is happening currently with the BLM movement or any other social injustice. Rather it is an encouragement to look at our Earth in entirety and recognize harm and injustice happening on a global level.
So often are we faced with “the issues” of modern society. We are told on the news of scandals of crime, death, stealing, and war. We are presented internet feeds of mass shootings, presidential elections, and natural/unnatural disasters. My email is constantly being overloaded by protests of endangered species, the hottest day in years report, oil leaks, etc. With access to the latest happenings right at our fingertips we are always informed of societal upheaval.
BUT the question is; how often do people ask what is the root cause and what solutions are being implemented for long term change? There is a wide grey area in distinguishing pressing issues. The “grey area” is filtered through social classisms, racisms, sexisms, etc.
Looking at our global crises, I ask myself how can we supply top quality basic needs to all peoples’ of planet Earth in an act of regeneration and symbiosis effect and respect to all Earthlings’ lives. To clarify I will break down the previous sentence. “Supply top quality basic needs to all peoples’ of planet Earth” this refers to water, food, air, and shelter without harmful man-made chemicals and as nature based as possible. “In an act of regeneration and symbiosis effect” the idea that we, as humans, are symbiotic creatures on this Earth, giving as much as we are taking from our fellow Earthlings (flora and fauna). “Respect to all Earthlings’ lives” when we are taking from our fellow beings we are doing so in a perspective of awe and care for these beings, for our bodies, and for future generations’ thriving capacity.
Currently we are a climax of change. What we, as a society, are facing is the most passionately charged revolution our world may have ever seen! Yet we are also still at a climax of crisis in terms of health, economic fragility, and environmental disruption. I have been writing about these issues for years but I have never imagined we would reach an extremity that looks like this.
As society rises up and demands for a new future, we MUST look at a future that is larger than any single movement. We are facing a collapse and we need to become creative of how to create a new paradigm that includes justice for black lives, animals lives, the rainforest, the ice caps, and the earth as we know it.
Supplying basic needs; Reallocating control over resources to the people
As human beings, the most pressing need for each individual is access to clean water, nutritious food, and shelter from extreme weather. I do not think that these three needs can be disputed. In modern times, many people have lost access to these critical essentials while a small minority has an over-excess of such. Colonization aka declaration of “owning” land is the root imbalance of the problem above. The declaration of seperating land from certain peoples and not others led to a domino effect of stratifying resources based on an unequal power structure.
I see a proposal of solution arising from the loss of access to direct resources that provide for our basic needs. The control of resources need to be released from condensed structures and instead needs to be allocated to all beings as an act of solidarity. The most efficient way to do this is creating systems of allocations on a “human scale”. (allows for direct feedback) “Human-scale refers to a size in which people are able to know and be known by others in the community, and where each member of the community feels he or she is able to influence the community’s direction.”
Supporting a structure where; a community is declared, resources are shared and provided on an immediate needs basis, allocation is discussed between all members of these shared resources, and the resources come from immediate or surrounding lands.
The guidelines written above allows for the dynamic of resilience in community. When everyone in a community works together to provide direct and equal access to fresh food, water, and shelter their wellbeing is shifted from a threatened state to a state of security and solidarity.
As defined by Rob Hopkins (developer of Transition Towns) resilience is measured by the ability to adapt in the face of collective issues. Resilience will be essential during the impending crisis of Peak oil, climate change effects, and collapse of economy and will be dependent on; the extent to which communities can direct and shape decisions that affect them, the ability for a community to self organize and manage resources, and make decisions with the intent of maximum sustainability.The book Ecovillages also writes about the importance of reclaiming community resources that has been “attacked by corporate capitalism”. The reclamation of local resources brings about an aire of responsibility of self thus a symbol of empowerment. The movements Ecovillages, Permaculture, and Transition Towns all emphasize the demeanor of empowerment of the individual and the community instead of reliance of a governmental authority. When there is an element of responsibility to where our needs are coming from we disengage from the top down control of power structures.
About the Author:
Chloe Buzzotta – Director of Whole Systems Network
Since early adulthood I have been on the journey of environmental stewardship. What are the most ethical and just ways to harmonize our planet, humans, and animals? I have worked with different sectors in the environmental field from Greenpeace to Global Ecovillage Network. My current self-journey is building a livelihood that can support my passion of healing our planet and empowering others.