Diana Leafe Christian, author and activist, gave an enlightening presentation about ecovillages at the Brecht Forum early this month. She explained what an ecovillage consisted of and described the lifestyle and principals of various ecovillages around the world, including the one in which she currently resides, Earth Haven in North Carolina.

Ecovillages are off the grid settlements of people who wish to live a minimal lifestyle in harmony with nature and each other. Residents find ways of making a living locally by owning or working for businesses established by other residents. Although some leave periodically to earn enough money to reside in their community most of the time, long daily commutes for employment are discouraged due to their negative effect on the environment. Ecovillagers implement various techniques to minimize their impact on the earth, including permaculture, hybrid and natural building techniques, solar power, passive solar strategies, rainwater collection, composting toilets, living machines, constructed wetlands, and rainwater collection and reuse.

Here is a great 3-minute video in which a resident of Dancing Rabbit, a sustainable community in Missouri, describes the spirit of the ecovillage.

At first glance, the idea of the ecovillage seems too far on the progressive left for most people. However, as Diana described the various settlements and their particular lifestyle and practices, I realized that each community is unique, existing at various points on the socioeconomic spectrum. For example, in one ecovillage in Europe, the inhabitants shared a business whose earnings went directly towards sustaining the community. No one got a salary, making a petty cash box the only source of money for small purchases such as toothpaste or bus fare. On the other hand, in an ecovillage located in the United States, members not only keep independent finances, but many even earn dividends by investing in local businesses such as a retail store located just outside of the community. It is also worth noting that not all ecovillages are located in isolated virgin landscapes. There are ecovillages located in suburbs and even in cities such as the Los Angeles Ecovillage. Although I don’t plan on moving to an Earth Haven or Dancing Rabbit anytime soon, I have to admit that there is a lot to be learned from these communities and their noble efforts towards economic, social and environmental sustainability.

Diana Leafe Christian is running a workshop in New York City on February 14-15 that teaches the fundementals of Starting a Successful Ecovillage or Intentional Community.

For more info about ecovillages check out http://www.ecovillagenews.org