As humans having an experience of life on this planet, we are entrusted with much, but it appears that if we want to continue with this experiment, we need to do more!
At least, that’s the way I see things, especially in these very special times of planetary upheaval and the uncertain future for most living species on the Earth.
Where we are today and where we're currently headed as a society is much worse than most people understand, but we are also capable of transforming to a better world much faster than most people think is possible, and this better world could be truly amazing.
There is a HUGE difference between the best and worst-case future scenarios. Where we end up on the spectrum will largely be determined by what each of us chooses to do in response to the existing and developing problems in the next 1, 5, and 10 years.
If enough people like you and me decide to help change the places where we live and work, we still have time to rebuild a world that is much safer, healthier, and more just than the one we live in today.
The world we live in now is deadly, destructive, unjust, and totally unsustainable. The air in many places is poisonous and so is a lot of the water, plastic is everywhere and extreme inequality rules the day.
There's now more stuff than there is life and by weight, we've dumped more CO2 into the atmosphere than all of our stuff and all life on earth combined. We live on a planet with finite resources and delicate balances, but the current extractive, linear, and degenerative economy is reckless, so we're rapidly exceeding planetary boundaries and crushing the very systems that support us.
It's important to understand that society's current ways of thinking and doing cannot solve these problems...because they are the cause of them. Instead of prioritizing profit above all else, we must prioritize people and the planet. Instead of the widespread belief that we're separate from and better than nature, we must see that we are a part of nature and that we rely on it for everything.
Our actions need to reflect this, meaning our conversations, values, social norms, policies, investments, and much more need to evolve, and it needs to happen as quickly, safely, and equitably as possible - The status quo cannot and will not go on much longer.
"If what you’ve been doing for hundreds of years has brought you to the brink of a mass extinction, maybe it's time to try something new." - Eric Holthaus
What really matters isn't how far we've come, but rather, where we could be, compared to where we are.
Given what we know, our capacity to solve problems, the wealth that exists, and all of the solutions at our fingertips, we can and should do better!
We need to collectively paint a picture of the world we want to live in - of the world we’re striving towards – otherwise we’ll never get there.
Obviously at our Casita Verde centres, and within the projects connected to our Ibiza Fènix movement, we’ve made some giant leaps towards studying the future possibilities of improving our chances of thriving on planet Earth and in the case of Casita Verde Ibiza, have reached a point very close to our original goal. However, as we still need to get this message and its contents across to many more people, it’s time to imagine just how this ambitious job can be achieved within the next few years.
Since closing the Casita Verde Ibiza to volunteers and for public events at the end of June 2019, I’ve been thinking about what we can offer to our followers, which will not compromise either myself or our small permanent staff, and that could be done with the limited economic resources we have left. It seems like just keeping the place in good condition is providing us with plenty of hard work and exercise, plus using up most of my pension funds in the process.
These days, apart from occasionally inviting individuals or small groups of people for a guided tour of the installations (so that they can gather some ideas for their own eco projects), we are often using the facilities here to make meetings with other organisations and construct furniture or eco toilets etc for a variety of off-site projects. We also continue to clean up roads and natural spaces with our Ibiza Limpia group, as well as participate in many on-line meetings and debates wherever required.
Starting this October and continuing until mid April next year, we will begin to offer guided tours to small groups of senior school students and other local entities, as part of the overall ‘environmental workshop’ plan proposed by the Alianza por el Agua de Ibiza y Formentera (Ibiza and Formentera Water Alliance), where I am on the board of directors. This project called ‘Natura Educa Eivissa’ will be like a local ‘Yellow Pages’ guide to offers from island ecology groups and similar organisations, and will hopefully pave the way to a more comprehensive offer of local environmental education, supported by the island governments and published on their websites.
We’re still planning to go ahead with our ‘Ibiza Ecolandia’ project, just as soon as we can generate enough interest from the local authorities and other necessary participants here, but as this may take some time, we’ll need to be satisfied that at least we’re still on the ecological playing field and still doing our bit for the future of our dear planet.
Meanwhile, over in Granada, the Casita Verde has successfully moved to its new location and will begin to grow roots in the local community, as well as expand their offer of volunteer experiences for interested visitors. Georgina and I hope to be going over there for our yearly two week visit during the last two weeks in August, in order to lend a hand to Rey and Audrey, plus enjoy some days in our lovely caravan while travelling around the area.
Beginning on the 4th of July this year, the new Casita Verde in Poland, which is situated in the picturesque village of Paniowice near Wrocław, will open its doors to passing cyclists from 09.00h until 18.00h each Sunday. Here they can fill up their drinking water bottle and use the eco-toilet, plus take a rest in the gardens before continuing their journey.
Also, from August the Casita Verde (Zielony Dom in Polish), will host a weekly event each Sunday from 12.00h until 22.00h, with food and activities for visitors. For more information, please check out the website on https://zielonydom.org/blog/
Of course, if you have any questions about alternative lifestyle techniques, or want to know how you can be a more eco-conscious citizen, please get in touch by email, sending your request to info@casitaverde.com, or calling our main office on 608838190 (English and Spanish)
With warm greetings from Casita Verde,
Chris Dews – coordinator
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