Be Inspired. Watch. Learn, and Then Act.
Albert Bates, Director of Global Village Institute for Appropriate Technology, gave this keynote address at Great Lakes Bioneers Chicago’s 2nd annual event on November 2, 2013.
COOL! – Ecovillage Responses to Climate Change
Overpopulation, climate change, peak net energy, limits to growth, and economic malaise – are creating crises in human civilization never before experienced. But they also are causing an ongoing search for alternatives that not only meet human needs, but also protect and restore the environment upon which we all depend.
In this fun-to-watch presentation given at Great Lakes Bioneers Chicago’s November 2013 conference, Bates suggests that ecovillages have been making strategic investments in adaptive responses to the climate change that also mitigate the damage by marginally reducing, or even reversing, the transfer of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, through appropriate technology, such as:
- Carbon farming
- Biochar
- Holistic management
- Integrated aquaponics and waste remediation
- Organic no-till
- Keyline management
- Remineralization
- Soil-food-web microbiology
- Agroforestry; and
- “ Permafuels” for transportation and district heating
Imagine creating and implementing a holistic re-inhabitation approach to today’s challenges that re-balance human ecosystems with in-fashioned patterns of “cool” living!
Who is Albert Bates?
Albert Bates is author of many books including The Biochar Solution, The Post Petroleum Survival Guide and Cookbook, and Climate in Crisis. He is the cofounder of Global Village Institute for Appropriate Technology (which he has headed for 35 years) and the Global Ecovillage Network.
Current projects include a peace-through-permaculture project in Palestine and the Sail Transport Network, moving fair trade goods along coastal routes.
In 1980 Albert shared the Right Livelihood Award (considered an “Alternative Nobel”) for work in preserving indigenous culture.
His first book (Honicker v Hendrie, 1977) is considered by many environmentalists to mark the turning point in nuclear power’s ascent. Of his latest book, Huffington Post, said, “Bates has woven together a highly engaging interdisciplinary answer to climate change … a lively page-turner that blends clear-headed analysis with nuts-and-bolts advice … enough danger to wake us up, but enough opportunity to emerge feeling hopeful.”
To learn more about Albert Bates and his work, visit: Global Village Institute for Appropriate Technology.
