A few months back I attended a community discussion on urban sustainability. The discussion featured a group from Texas who have done some pretty innovative thinking and designing in an urban setting. One man came from the group and did a brief over view of what the group has done in their community through their organization called the Rhizome Collective. One aspect of their mission is to hold trainings and one they've developed is R.U.S.T or Radical Urban Sustainability Training.
The man talked about some ideas I've heard of (aquaculture farming, grey water) and some ideas I had not thought of (recycled fridge solar power water heater, natural home water cleaning system, duckweed as food). But also of interest to me were a few additional factors - 1) the CROWD of people my age there aka other people who care about the same issues,
2) networking, and 3) meeting the Heartbeat Collective group, based in my community.
There was also one crucial point I left this discussion considering - the time issue. The time to act, try new methods of alternative energy sources, to create new ways of living is not later, it is NOW. Why? Because right now we still have back up - we still have some of those almost gone un-renewable resources. We still have time to try and fail. But soon that luxury, the "safety net," will be gone. This was an inspiring (yes, a little daunting too) message to take away from this meeting. Especially knowing that there are groups like the two I mentioned above and many more trying out these "radical" and "alternative" ways of living and producing means of survival. Oh! There was also a partnership who had bought an old store in a neighboring town and were turning it into a totally green and eco-model home to be used as a community learning and gathering center. Check out more about it here.
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