After being awakened by a two year old toddler at predawn this morning, I lay in bed contemplating what an urban green utopia would be like. It is said that ‘it takes a village to raise a child.’ So, what would an urban green village look like?
For starters there would be a sense of community and people would help each other without expecting anything in return. Those that enjoy getting up at predawn might head over and take the toddler out journeying through the nearby woods while a mama with a baby gets a little more rest.
We would begin our days in meditation and yoga surrounded by a living green space.
The perfectly manicured lawns would be turned into ‘let it all hang out’ garden spaces where most of our food and medicine would be grown. There would be a perfect play area for the kids to hang out and play freely without worrying about cars or other distractions. The village would have a natural sustainable wood fence all around to keep the smaller children from wandering off.
Nothing would be owned by anyone. We would simply be stewards of what we were given. We would share openly and cooperatively with others. This reminds me of the the other day when I went for a walk with my son. He saw a riding toy in a neighbors yard and just walked right up and hopped on it to play. I said, “hmm, if only the world were that way and we could have things without owning them, freely sharing with one another without fear.” Of course as soon as my son was convinced to move on, the father of the tots toy came and tugged it quickly inside.
There would be a community kitchen for sharing organic, locally grown foods. We would also have a private kitchen in our living space for those times that we would like to dine alone. The living spaces, even if they are apartments, would be simply set up with green eco conscious furnishings, linens, cleaning supplies, flooring, walls and more. There would be living plants indoors and growing on our balconies. The roof tops would be green and alive.
There would be solar and other alternatives for power plus the purest water possible. Our laundry would hang freely blowing in the wind for drying and in the sun for brightening.
Our children would have simple, natural cloth or wooden toys, art supplies and books that help expand their imagination. They would be clothed in nature inspired colors with breathable fabrics running barefoot as often as possible. We all would be living with the rhythms of the earth and in harmony with nature.
We would gather in community dressed in our natural fiber clothes with song, dance and music from a variety of cultures. We would talk story often especially with the elders who would be respected and cared about. The elders would share their wisdom with us in a gentle way without being judgemental or critical. We would make decisions for the village based on consensus.
There would be a village economic system so there would not be as much pressure and emphasis on money. There would be barter and sharing with one another, living in cooperation.
We would travel by foot, bikes, transit or eco conscious vehicles if going a longer distance. Our common needs would be within the village. We would head over to the co-op and community library with our cloth reuseable bags. Then stop by to pick up some raw milk, handmade cheese, eggs and honey (unless we were vegans.)
The village doctors would be the wise ones that would share their knowledge of herbs, foods and natural living for our well being. They would not seek to take our power from us but empower us to take responsibility for our own choices.
Babies would be born naturally in the comfort of the mothers home in their peaceful, tranquil space being surrounded only by those that the family would choose. They would have support of the village as they transitioned into motherhood.
Well, I could go on and on about living green in an eco conscious urban village. I have always had the perspective that you needed to live in a rural area to be green. However, my perspective has been changing. I realize it is through our conscious choices that we live green regardless of location.
Just one question today though, “where is our village?” In a few days we will be going to an organic farm in Cape Breton. We will be in a co housing, small community situation. I will let you know if we found our village!
If you are ready to create your green utopian home and lifestyle, Gaiam has everything from bamboo socks to alternative energy resources. They are a lifestyle company in Colorado that supports natural living. Let’s build a green village. It starts with you!
