Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Coho & NEW LIFESTYLES --> Sustainability

[Mmariner (Mmariner]

Dan from Kinney Ridge wrote

>This [Commuting] is a real concern to many of us at Kinney Ridge. It seems
that >car-poolingwould help a lot; beyond that we'd like to explore some kind
of >communally owned electric vehicle (or super-efficient vehicle(s) 

Dan, we Americans are highly inclined to look for a technological fix -- and
we should to some degree, so electric vehicles are a way to reduce pollution.

But my point was why not avoid commuting altogether by starting some
businesses right there at your cohousing site?  Because not only is burning
swimming pools full of gasoline polluting, but the travel time cuts down on
the time you have for family and community and other meaningful activities.

Many of the older intentional communities are also businesses -- Twin Oaks
hammocks, some providing retreat sites, others with crafts, books, farm
products.  

I feel community would be even stronger at coho sites if people would find
ways to economically sustain themselves together.  Doesn't have to be
all-at-once -- maybe officing together for some
entrepreneurs/consultants/telecommuters will lead to brainstorming a whole
new business.

So, in sum, I'd say tweak your sustainability with some techno-fixes, but
then go for some big ones -- change your lifestyles.

MikeM