Every Australian emits 15 tonnes of carbon per year. The science is clear. We need to get that down to two tonnes. Now.
Ecological Regeneration
The eco village will be a place where reducing waste, reducing emissions and regenerating the natural environment is a top priority. Some activities may include:
working with waste as a valuable resource,
moving towards 100% renewable energies,
increasing biodiversity and regenerating ecosystems,
reducing single-use plastics and other consumables,
carpooling and car-sharing arrangements and possibly electric vehicles,
Innovating green building technologies,
use of permaculture and syntropic cultivation principles to create healthy soil and a diverse eco system,
reducing meat consumption and
replenishing sources and cycles of water.
By living together, eco village residents can help each other to make changes that promote a more ecological lifestyle.
Financial Sustainability
Eco village life is not possible without financial sustainability. EVA provides sustainable management of the eco village's monetary and material resources. Surpluses from rental income and other enterprise will be returned to the community through 'participatory budgeting'.
Social Regeneration
Commuting and paying a mortgage can be a socially depleting way to live for many. Working fewer hours and working in passion areas is key to enjoying life. Residents of the eco village will enjoy the freedom to travel and to live in the community part-time or full-time. In the future, there may be multiple villages that EVA members could choose to move between subject to space being available. Imagine spending summers in Tasmania and winters in Brisbane.
Resilience in a fast-changing world
Many people recognise that our current systems are being stretched to breaking point. By definition, unsustainable systems cannot go on indefinitely. By building community, Eco Villages Australia can help to create resilient systems that will not die out in the face of economic collapse.
Triple bottom line
Many large corporations pursue one thing - the "mighty dollar". There are some things that should not be for sale to the highest bidder, like clean air, water and our democracy. A triple bottom line community recognises business is not solely for profit but must also benefit people and planet. Eco Villages Australia recognises the eight forms of capital which are social, cultural, intellectual, experiential, spiritual, natural, material and financial capital.
Smaller Housing
Many housing issues stem from the fact that Australians have the largest houses in the world. The tiny house movement has exploded into public consciousness. Benefits of smaller housing include:
1. less ecological damage and a smaller physical footprint,
2. a healthier lifestyle with more time outdoors,
3. less cleaning and maintenance and
4. greater flexibility.
Living spaces at an eva community seek to be smaller as there will be larger shared common spaces. They could include tiny houses (on wheels, fixed or units in a larger development) or shared rooms in existing housing already built on a purchased property.
Article 3 of 6. Next article - 4. Legal Model