Most of us lack the stories that help imagine a future where we thrive in the midst of unstoppable ecological catastrophe.

James Allen

Families gathering together this holiday reminds us of what is really important. The joy of being with children makes us think of their future. The indigenous way is to consider how what we do now will affect the next seven generations. Much of our current situation comes from lack of consideration for future generations. The increasingly visible signs of climate chaos finally force widespread attention to our perilous situation. Those affected directly are bewildered, wanting solutions now.

As James Allen asks, can we imagine a future where we thrive? To do so we have to begin by acknowledging what has led to our condition, in order to identify what the problems are now that need to be addressed. I’ve continued to expand the following diagram to help me organize my own thinking. What has been added lately are:

• the Doctrine of Discovery which was used as justification to subjugate indigenous peoples around the world
• eminent domain, which steals land from mainly White landowners, just as the Doctrine of Discovery did to indigenous peoples
• Capitalism, built on a fossil fuel based economy, has been a driving force for environmental destruction and the theft of more land where fossil fuels are found
• the Green New Deal is one idea for a way forward
• it is essential to stop using fossil fuels now, which will require BOTH expanding renewable energy sources and a radical change of how we use energy
• building community is the basis for these changes

Some ideas for imagining a future where we thrive:

• Community hub with housing and other structures
  • Simple housing
    • Straw bale houses
    • Passive solar and solar panels
    • No kitchens, bathrooms or showers (community ones instead)
  • Stores, school, meetinghouse
  • Central kitchen, bathrooms and showers
• Surrounding fields for food and straw
• Water supply
  • Wells, cisterns and/or rain barrels
• Power
  • Solar, wind, hydro, horse
• Manufacturing
  • 3 D printing
  • Pottery
  • Sawmill
• Communication
  • Radio, local networks
• Transportation
  • Bicycles
  • Horses
  • Pedal powered vehicles
• Medical
  • Stockpile common medications
  • Essential diagnostic and treatment equipment
  • Medical personnel adapt to work in community
• Spiritual
  • Meeting for worship
  • Meeting for business
  • Religious education

https://kislingjeff.wordpress.com/2018/02/22/design-and-build-beloved-community-models/