EcoVillage Pioneers - a DVD of self builders

Watch trailer for EcoVillage Pioneers

Eco Village Pioneers 50minute movie
Over a decade, Helen, a co-founder of Undercurrents went in search of a sustainable way of life. Along the way she recorded the UK's most high profile campaigners on low impact living. She charted how Tony Wrench and his partner (see photo below) challenged and radically changed a council's policy on rural housing. Their unique, inexpensive ecohome made from oak, cobwood and recycled window walls, straw-insulated turf roof, with solar power for electricity, compost toilet and reed beds for grey water is now a proven example of what the Government needs to be providing. Her journey took her to Crystal Waters Permaculture village in Australia, Sunseed Desert Technology centre in Spain, Findhorn spiritual community in Scotland, The Village in Ireland and the low impact settlement, Tinkers Bubble in Somerset England. Her trip also includes the world renowned Centre of Alternative Technology in mid Wales. The main strand of the film follows the story of Lammas- Britains First planned Ecovillage to be developed in England and Wales.

Feel free to show this film in your community. Contact helen@undercurrents.org with details of public showings and we will circulate it..

Watch latest updates on the Ecovillages in our Podcast series-Living in the Future

The Situation
Climate change will change how we live in the future. There is a need for radical changes in the way we plan for, design and build our homes, to render them affordable and environmentally sustainable. Several generations have now grown up in towns and cities, many with little appreciation of our essential connection with the earth & nature. Rising sea levels, water and energy shortages could create chaos.

The Solutions
To find solutions to this problem, undercurrents have released a DVD highlighting the working positive examples from the growing number of housing pioneers.
EcoVillage Pioneers has been included on the DVD plus dozens of other films about selfbuilders and environmental issues.



Photo: Tony Wrench and Jane in their Roundhouse in Wales.
Photos: Findhorn, Scotland and Tinkers Bubble, Somerset.

Why now?
Pembroke Council recently changed its policy on rural housing and has agreed to work with Lammas to provide land to develop England and Wales first ecovillage (30 low impact dwellings).There are currently no other legal ecovillages in England or Wales although there are intentional communities. The project will create a model for highly sustainable development: socially, environmentally and economically. All units, and the development itself, will be at or below a 'one planet' ecological footprint. The settlement will become integrated with the local community and be an asset to the local economy. It will also serve as a blueprint and inspiration for other councils and the wider public nationwide.

Spreading the Knowledge
The DVD will also be a valuable resource for low impact campaigners.

Distribution
Undercurrents has a wide network across the world who will screen the DVD in cinemas, community centres and schools, to facilitate discussion and action. We will utilise our database of environmentally interested people.
If you think you can help on distribution please drop us a line to hello@undercurrents.org

Links and Resources

Reach for the Sky (40minutes)
How can cream pies, sitting on top of an airliner, singing on a runway or squatting a crane stop climate change? How do cheap flights increase sea levels? How did British activists stop an airport from destroying a British beauty spot? Find out the answers here.

Climate change and Aviation	Living in the Future	Broad Horizons
	AZ of Bushcraft

Undercurents
Old Exchange
Pier Street
Swansea
SA1 1RY
Britain
+ 44(0)1792 455900
hello@undercurrents.org