this post originally appeared in Stir Magazine illustration by Daksheeta Pattni In 2002 I described United Diversity as “a member owned and stakeholder governed network of mutual advantage.” In truth, it was aspirational. At the time, the flexible off-the-shelf legal structures and open source tools needed to make such a network a reality simply didn’t exist. Now they do. Co-ops that combine best practices from the international co-operative movement with best practices from the open source … [Read more...]
Homes and Hands – Community Land Trusts in Action
We'll never have a peaceful, just and sustainable world (or, as Charles Eisenstein says 'the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible') whilst the land that sustains us all is owned and controlled by a tiny minority of the population. We need to transcend private land ownership. But what is the alternative? Community Land Trusts are a good option and Homes and Hands is a great video that illustrates the different ways that community land trusts operate in the U.S. Produced by Women's … [Read more...]
Time to replicate WIR Bank?
The WIR Bank in Switzerland has been successfully running for over 60 years. It was started in the 1930s in response to the great economic crises of the time. Studies have shown that it's turnover is extremely counter-cyclical, adding to the resilience and stability of the Swiss Economy. They are a great long-term example of how financial co-operatives prove to be more resilient in times of crisis. Almost 20% of all Swiss Businesses are members and they have an annual turnover of nearly £3 … [Read more...]
How Cooperatives and Community Enterprise Will Get Us Out of this Gigantic Mess
I've posted this excellent talk by Janelle Orsi from the brilliant Sustainable Economies Law Center a few times over on our facebook page. The whole presentation is well worth watching, but I particularly like it when she says: What is the entity structure that is most going to ensure that our communities are protected? and what is going to most ensure that the wealth in society becomes distributed more equitably? I keep coming back to the answer of: Co-operatives. Co-operatives, Co-operatives, … [Read more...]
Springhill Cohousing
Last Saturday Gloria and I joined members of the North London Sustainable Housing Partnership to visit the lovely Springhill Cohousing community in Stroud. The video above is a quick tour of the site (unfortunately my battery ran out before I got to show you around inside the common house, and I hadn't put the camera in high resolution mode). Below are the photos I took during our tour, where together with lots of outdoor picture you can take a sneak peak inside some of the houses (some of which … [Read more...]
The Money Fix
The Money Fix, another must see documentary about money and the banking system. "Money is at the intersection of nearly every aspect of modern life. Most of us take the monetary system for granted, but it has a profound and largely misunderstood influence on our lives. THE MONEY FIX is a feature-length documentary exploring our society’s relationship with the almighty dollar. THE MONEY FIX examines economic patterning in both the human and the natural worlds, and through this lens we learn how … [Read more...]
Email to Toby Hemenway re: Piracy
NOTE: I've had a series of increasingly great responses from Toby - please see the comments Toby Hemenway, a leading permaculture author sent me a message with very very thinly veiled threat to sue me for including his great book Gaia's Garden here https://files.uniteddiversity.com/Permaculture/ (someone else has also put it up on Scribd) Here is the text of his message: at https://files.uniteddiversity.com/Permaculture/ you have a pirated copy of my book, Gaia's Garden. My publisher, Chelsea … [Read more...]
Mark Rutledge for Cap and Share models for sustainable energy commons
Via Feasta: “Cap and Share: mechanisms to share scarce resources and provide economic incentives for renewable energy and efficiency investment. Mark Rutledge, an environmental consultant, argues that the adoption of Cap and Share, Feasta’s proposed framework for a global climate treaty, is a necessary tool for dealing with peak oil and the current world recession. Unless it is used, any economic recovery will be strangled at birth as oil prices rise again. Recorded on day two of The New … [Read more...]
Seva Cafe – Ahmedabad,India
YouTube - Seva Cafe - Ahmedabad,India Nice little video about an organic cafe in India where you pay what you like. "This video is made by students of NID - Ahmedabad,India. To know more about Seva Cafe Visit us as : www.sevacafe.org or mail me at whiznitesh@gmail.com.....My name is Nitesh Jain, Ahmedabad,Gujarat,India :) Love all, Serve all :) Living is Giving :) Guest is God :) ADDRESS : Seva Cafe 4th Floor, Shppers Plaza, Opp. Muncipal Market, C G Road, Ahmedabad Ph: +91 79 32954140" … [Read more...]
Copyright regime vs. civil liberties
I just came across this video after reading this interview Google Tech Talks July 31, 2007 ABSTRACT Rick Falkvinge, the founder of the Swedish Pirate Party and the international politicized pirate movement, talks about the rise and success of pirates, and why pirates are necessary in today's politics. He'll also outline the next steps in the pirates' strategy to change global copyright laws. The fight against copyright aggression tends to focus on economic aspects of the shift to a … [Read more...]