"Would it be an exaggeration to claim that the emergence of the ecovillage movement is the most significant event of the 20th century? I don’t think so."
Ted Trainer, Sociologist,
University of New South Wales, Australia

"In my view, ecovillages, and the larger social movements of which they are an integral part, are the most promising and important movement in all of history."
Robert Rosenthal, Prof. of Philosophy,
Hanover College, USA


"The ecovillage movement – although still in its early embryonic stage – is a global phenomenon responding to global causes. It is best understood as a part of the anti-globalisation movement. Yet while the more visible parts of the anti-globalisation movement protest against the corporate dominated global economic model through demonstrations in the streets and consumer boycotts and through single issues movements, ecovillagers have a different approach. They are quietly building small, sustainable communities with their limited resources, with personal commitment – walking their talk. They see ecovillages as models of how we must all live eventually, if the threat to our environment and our social structures posed by corporate led globalisation is to be taken seriously. It is a lifestyle possible for everybody on the planet.
Many politicians and others, who have observed the phenomenon, tend to classify ecovillagers as ‘idealists’, as if to dismiss them as irrelevant. But this reaction is flippant and quite misleading. The reality is that ecovillagers are the true ‘realists’, who take the threats to our way of life seriously, and are taking personal action to deal with the problem. It is our traditional politicians who are unwilling or unable to deal with the issues. They are living in a fantasy world that cannot continue for long.

(...)


HOW CAN GOVERNMENTS SUPPORT THE ECOVILLAGE MOVEMENT?

Western governments are currently subsidizing the unsustainable economic growth model with billions of euros/dollars, undermining the efforts of their own people who are trying to live up to the ideals of Agenda 21 proclaimed by these same governments.
If just a small fraction of these subsidies could be re-directed to support the people trying to build truly sustainable communities, it could make a world of difference.
There are many people waiting in line to join this movement, but zoning laws and traditional thinking are major obstacles. Getting land and building permission, together with educating ecovillage design-ers, represent the eye of the needle that the camel has to get through."

in THE ECOVILLAGE MOVEMENT, by Ross Jackson - Permaculture Magazine No.40

Mais referências em:

www.permaculture.co.uk
http://gen.ecovillage.org
www.gaia.org