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GEC is always open to new ideas. The very concept of implementing urban ecological designs into the general development paradigm is something that has been a lot slower to happen then one would have hoped. Twenty years ago when I was a work study student for the campus center for appropriate technology I got to see what a net-zero house could look like. It wasn't rocket science then and it isn't now. I'm convinced that our food and energy needs can be solved now and that economics and politics are what hold us back. For example, if the U.S took the billions spent on warfare technology and turned that to sustainable development would the need to take oil from other countries be so great?
All over the world, countries are making steps on so many levels to build ecological harmony into the paradigm. But it's got to happen both faster and more comprehensive if we are going to allow for a bright future. A future that shares this planet with all of the wonders AND the people. Basic ecology tells us that we really are dependent upon the relationships we have with the other plants and animals on this planet. It's a web and that web is frayed. We can't know when it will collapse...and we can work together to prevent it from happening. I'll be reviewing three current eco-city projects that are happening through out the world and reporting back my results. Until then create a great day!
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Hi everyone. Welcome to GreenEarthCity's Blog page. We invite discussion and comments related to developing a net-zero energy city, community, culture, and lifestyle. It's a daunting task ahead of the human race: to learn to live in harmony with Earth and all its inhabitants. But we not only feel it can be done, we feel that it WILL get done and that the sooner the better.
Creating a net-zero energy city faces many challenges but technology and design aren't one of them. I've spent countless years researching and at times even living in places that were off the grid and self sufficient. With a combination of good architecture, planning, and teamwork it can be done. The major impediments to creating a truly green city are: political will, money, and belief. While the idea of a net-zero energy city is growing the amount of money it would take to make this happen is huge. But not as large as most people might think. To make a GreenEarthCity (GEC) from scratch can happen in two ways. First, one group or company in total control building every aspect of the city from the ground up through contracting etc. Second, A group or company developing the blueprint or template and inviting various outside entities to take part in the creation of the city thereby receiving a share of the city. Obviously, there are many ways to economically set up 'ownership' and 'shares' which will be hammered out at some point. Money: Our country...the U.S.A. has a lot more money to spend then you think. Most of that available money is tied up in Corporate profit and the richest of the rich. But while this might be the case it doesn't mean that these individuals and entities can't take part in the creation of a vision for our future. Those with money can help facilitate the creation of positive change! Money can also be generated by all other socio economic classes of people...if a million people give ten dollars...boom..there's the money to buy the land... and so forth. Our vision of GEC is not about perpetuating the same old economic patterns through. It's about creating an alternative that is democratic in financial vision. Those alternatives are free to be discussed on here. Belief: To make something possible you first see in your mind and you believe it can happen. Without that belief and faith to create projects like this will not happen. Let's get together and make a net-zero city happen! |
AuthorForest Berg is part of the Green Earth Vision collective, producer/writer/musician for HugMachine. B.S. in Natural Resources, Forest has worked in the environmental field for over twenty years. Archives
October 2024
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