By Tom & Carol Braford
It turns out that people are empowered and less anxious about the future when they work together to solve any mutually recognized problem. The bigger and more challenging the problem, the more empowered they become.
Coming together to solve climate change and lots of other seemingly endemic challenges along the way is, therefore, a setup for maximum success.
A developer in Seattle actually proved that several years ago when they made environmental sustainability a condition for taking on finding and developing a site for a forming cohousing core group.
Most in the group were aligned with that goal but were initially reluctant, thinking it might put off some prospective members. They agreed to the developer’s request to lead with that in their marketing and were soon delighted when they were flooded with interest.
We believe, therefore, that coming together with a comprehensive plan to solve climate change and lots of other seemingly endemic challenges is now the ultimate formula for success.
We are encouraged in that belief by a recent statement on a climate-oriented podcast by the founder of a major philanthropic organization that he, unlike most philanthropists, is not afraid of comprehensive solutions to climate change. He said most just wanted to keep it simple by just solving a single piece of the problem, but that he is not afraid of comprehensive solutions.
We are taking him at his word and are about to submit a $2M comprehensive solution to the housing shortage grant being offered by his organization, which is a key component of our climate solution.
Another key part is the development of an adjacent great wading bird greenway with water features and other ecological enhancements that would connect us to the old St. Bonaventure Friary a block north, which is the center of the annual rookery, and would connect to the SLU Campus, IKEA, and the Foundry. Brickway Greenway will qualify us as part of the Buckminster Fuller Institute Eco-Hub network of communities they just rolled out as their primary climate solution. We were Buckminster Fuller Challenge Catalyst winners a few years ago. Another key part of our compressive climate solution is the development of a raised guideway pod car system with first station and demonstration at our site and a figure 8 loop going up and down our alley with the station initially serving as the Museum of Transportation of the Future. This is Bill Gates’ favorite climate solution, so perhaps he will make St Louis his favorite climate solution City to invest in.
So consider this our relaunch announcement and let us know how you want to get involved in our comprehensive housing and climate solution. It takes vast networks of communities to come up with and implement comprehensive solutions to whatever currently ails us.
Contact us at braford@sbcglobal.net or at www.ArizmendiEcovillage.com. Chuck Durrett, who brought the cohousing idea to the US, recommends the Spotify episode in the picture: http://bit.ly/4ypQmei.