The Ecovillage Movement by Ross Jackson

This is an excellent, relatively short article providing an overview of the ecovillage movement. For those who believe this movement is little more than an extension of the "hippie communes" of the '60's and '70's, then this is especially recommended reading. Also, I like that it distinctly identifies the movement as an essentially revolutionary one.

The Ecovillage Movement by Ross Jackson

"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. Their almost religious belief in unending economic growth as a solution to our problems is untenable and is simply delaying the time when serious action will have to be taken.

Politicians are taking the easy way out, while ecovillagers are confronting the problem head-on, doing the hard but necessary work with little or no support from the broader community. They are establishing the very foundation of a new culture, which society will eventually embrace, partly through necessity, but also because ecovillage living simply offers far more satisfying life conditions than the dominant Western model, as a closer examination would demonstrate to any curious citizen."

Ross Jackson, along with his wife Hilda, is one of the founders of Gaia Trust, "a Danish-based charitable association founded in 1987...with the intention of supporting the transition to a sustainable and more spiritual future society through grants and proactive initiatives."