Chapter 11: Transitioning to Sustainable Living 11 Transitioning to Sustainable Living C H A P T E R

Learning Outcomes Understand how principles of sustainability have been implemented in communities. Recognize that sustainable communities come in all sizes and with unique cultures. Understand how sustainable communities can be formed anew or within existing communities and that different models exist. Recognize that sustainable communities are a direct action of community citizens.

Meeting the Needs of Transitional Communities: The Quad Stack Economic –Varied employment exists for all members. –Common resources are developed and used interdependently. –Business principles consider ecological processes. (continued)

Meeting the Needs of Transitional Communities: The Quad Stack (continued) Sociocultural –Considers community well-being and overall health. –Creates a nurturing and shared cultural creativity that fosters all attributes of society. –Education is continuous for all people. –Practices pluralism and nurtures the total cultural commons. (continued)

Meeting the Needs of Transitional Communities: The Quad Stack (continued) Psychological –Provides cradle-to-grave security. –Health practices are holistic and preventive. –Success is based on health, well-being, and happiness. (continued)

Meeting the Needs of Transitional Communities: The Quad Stack (continued) Ecological –Food is organic, grown locally, and nurtures the community. –Clean air, water, and soil are seen as vital for present and future generations. –Energy production is localized. –All building materials are obtained locally.

Transitional Communities Maleny, Australia –Localization of food and energy –Farmers’ markets, Maleny Town Farm –Educational speakers/community education –Carpooling, using solar photovoltaic panels, using motorbikes, promoting nutritious school foods (continued)

Transitional Communities (continued) Totnes, England – Localized energy, food, and economy (balance local with global and created the Totnes Pound) resilient to future mishaps –Community approach –Has acknowledged three trends: The beginning of the end of cheap fossil fuels The impact people are having on the natural world The end of the economic growth bubble (continued)

Transitional Communities (continued) Totnes, England

Ecovillages Cloughjordan, Ireland –114 homes that are highly efficient and subscribe to an ecological charter –Cooperation and trust of all members (Everyone’s opinion is important and considered.) –Bioorganic gardening –Local energy and materials for building –Promoting thoughtfulness and respect (continued)

Ecovillages (continued) Findhorn, Scotland –Explores a spiritual and holistic way to live –Living machine sewage treatment facility –Wind turbines –Universal Hall –Community supported agriculture (EarthShare) (continued)

Ecovillages (continued) Findhorn, Scotland

Ecovillages (continued) Torri Superiore, Italy –Restoration of the 13 th century hamlet of Torri Superiore –Uses permaculture as its model (continued)

Ecovillages (continued) Torri Superiore, Italy

Conservation and Development in Sparsely Populated Areas (CADISPA) Northern Scotland –CADISPA helps people in remote villages attain sustainability (e.g., Village of Armadale). –Communities are empowered and take initiative. –CADISPA uses the triple bottom line and quad stack models with each village in a way that works for them.

Sustainable Community Development Principles All development must originate with and involve the local people. All projects must express environmental sensitivity. All development projects must be economically self-sustaining.

New Urbanism Stapleton, Denver, USA –Redevelopment of Denver’s Stapleton 66-year-old airport –Green Book plan being used for development –Integrates all aspects of healthy community and principles of sustainability

Esperanza What type of community do you aspire to live in? For example: Do you want to know your neighbors? Do you want to spend each Sunday mowing and taking care of your yard? Do you want to share responsibilities? Is Espe’s way of life one that you would prefer? Why or why not? Do you think all people will one day live like Espe? Why or why not?