Eco-valley » Eco-valley Program

Models for management of environmental crisis

Szilvia Rév — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 12:59:50 +0000

Even city dwellers have several choices to participate in reduction of climate crisis. Many tiny “green” changing remarkably contribute in relief of approaching crisis. However those who take their roll seriously, try to get out from consumer madness. Gradual reduction of demands rather improves towards inner harmony, then series of getting newer and newer goods.
You vote with your money. Prefer national or even more regional or local products! This can help local small farmers and also to reduce pollution and cost of transportation. In case of the approaching food supply crisis the strengthening of local production will be extremely important instead of centralised large-scale farming and long distance transportation. In fact, the best we can do to start our own production even in the smallest scale. To shift to vegetarian diet is also a great contribution in reducing burden on environment and to maintain our health.
Sooner or later it is advisable to move to a village. The best is to join an existing ecovillage or rather start a new one. For this, it is worth to learn form the already existing ecovillages. Krishna-valley is willing to share its practical experiences with anyone who is interested.

The village level of real solution

According to international researches it is obvious that the problem of emission of green house gases and other pollutant is only umpteenth link in a further stretching causal chain. Global climate crisis and the following ecological, economical and social crisis are rooted in previous crisis in the way of general thinking and approach. Only such a persons or communities allow themselves to pollute their environment which temporary neglect their connection to theirs essential conditions ensuring nature. Therefore even experts of highest political levels advise to simultaneous change of structures of economy and attitude as well.
According to UNESCO expert Guilhem Calvo, maintain the current situation is not a solution anymore. He proposes to create such an agriculture which is less dependent on fuels and support to utilize local sources on local level. Another UNESCO study proposes to introduce more effective lobby systems and ecologically sustainable agriculture methods. In a report for UNESCO made by scientific group of 400 experts (IAASTD) the followings can be find:
1. Benefits of agricultural development are extremely uneven, but it has a tremendous social and environmental cost for the whole humankind.
2. Groceries makers have to learn applying “natural processes” like for example crop rotation and usage of manure.
3. Distance between producers and consumers have to be reduced.

The Eco-valley Program

15 years ago we recognised the significant importance of taking responsibility personally and in small community and we founded Krishna-valley to solve the problems above. Residents realise Vedic principals in economy with collective work. Spiritual community of Krishna-valley became an exemplary ecovillage for today. This community aim to be exemplary on the field of ecological production technologies, organic farming and craftsmanship for those who seeking a real sustainable lifestyle.
The Eco-valley Program, started in Krishna-valley is a village size experiment which has 150 volunteers and involves almost 50 research institutes already. They contribute in the program with their own work, research, experience. They show the attainable results if enviro-consciousness present in everyday practice of a community. This project provides a model to deal with social, ecological and economical problems via the everyday life of the village community.

React to the need for change by changing yourself

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:43:04 +0000

The Eco-valley project provides a special opportunity for us to show tangible results in solving the pressing national problems brought about by the climate changes.
This project fits well into the regional ecological policy of the Southern Transdanubian Region, which is very education-centered. The project is also completely in harmony with the aims of the New Hungary Development Plan (Új Magyarország Fejlesztési Terv). We already have the necessary bases to build on, the project is well prepared, it has clearly visible and measurable targets, it is cost effective and it is well maintainable on a long term after its realization. It will be maintained well because:
it contributes considerably to the protection of the environment using renewable energies and organic farming.

it provides a relevant local action plan to face the global challenges of climate change.
it provides well organized education for both young and adult audiences to promote the diffusion of the ideas of organic farming and organic living.
it creates new jobs and enhances social integration.
besides all the above points, this project is a model project, and a unique eco-touristic target on a European scale.

Information campaign

admin — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:41:54 +0000

The Eco-valley project not only undertakes the providing of theoretical and practical education for people who come here (whose numbers can reach 50 000 yearly) but it also aims at informing and educating the wider masses of people in the whole society about these environmental issues.
This has a prominent importance for a sustainable society and economy as it is indispensable to change life-styles, views and habits if we really want to see results on a national scale. This need is addressed by the communication department of the Eco-valley.