THE RICH CAN LIVE SUSTAINABLY TOO!

PROMOTING sustainability among the "rich" who consume 75% of the earth's resources and produce 75% of its solid and toxic waste is a priority, says Methodist minister Rev. Roger Hudson.

Rev. Hudson heads up the Gqunube Green Ecovillage concept in the Eastern Cape. This ecovillage - the zoning of which has just been passed - will, upon completion, have 68 eco-homes situated within it. These plots are surrounded by croplands, grazing lands, orchards, indigenous forest and a recreational hiking trail.

Rev Hudson believes this eco-village is a practical way of implementing the concepts of sustainability that are being discussed at the World Summit, especially among wealthy people.

"People in the top brackets must also change their habits," he says.

It is hoped that the ecovillage, where plots will be sold for between R80 000 and R50 000, will help to mainstream an ecologically sound alternative to conventional suburban and rural development

Already up and running in the ecovillage complex is a training centre where courses in sustainability are being offered and a permaculture garden has been created.

An ecoblock has been built next to the training centre where a number of innovative eco-architecture features have been implemented including door frames made from local wood and a biolytic filtration system.

Also on the cards is a Christian Retreat Centre to help Christians discover God in creation and explore their responsibility to care for God's Earth. Retreats exploring eco-spirituality and celtic Christianity are planned. 

The ecovillage concept is also linked to the Khanya Programme, run by the South African Methodist Church which focuses on promoting sustainability among the rural poor.