Local Nonprofit Project Promotes a Sustainable Community and World

Dudley Evenson is a community activist and cofounder of The Solutions Project. She also cofounded Interurban Neighbors, which has been active in channeling community response to the Chuckanut Ridge development in South Fairhaven for 15 years. Recently, she has been involved in the newly formed Bellingham Outpost of the Post Carbon Institute dealing with the issue of peak oil.

With the state of the world looking more and more dismal, it’s sometimes difficult to maintain a sense of hope and optimism. Mainstream media blares out news of war and suffering. Local media lets us know about rampant development and divisive issues that we need to be aware of, but sometimes we are left feeling frustrated and confused. News about the ramifications of “peak oil” might be overwhelming without also considering the positive actions we can take to prepare for it. How can we take our concerns and focus our energy on solutions that can help us create a more sustainable world?

A few years ago, in response to depressing national news and major frustration with feeling that our voices and concerns were not being heard, a group of us decided to stop complaining and take some positive action. The result was the formation of a nonprofit organization called The Solutions Project. This comprehensive project brings to our attention many innovative advancements and creative solutions that can improve our quality of life, our community and our world. Each month, a different aspect of our lives is examined with the goal of taking actions in each of these areas that create a real difference.

During its first year, The Solutions Project sponsored 12 forums on 12 key aspects of our lives. The forums brought together local leaders in each field who had the skills and wisdom to help us understand how we can move forward in new and innovative ways. By dividing the various aspects of our lives into 12 monthly themes, we feel we can better address the issues of each area. Through the videotapes of each of the forums, we will be able to share the ideas and information with greater numbers of people and continue the conversation on the various issues and solutions presented. Community dialogue followed by community action will create the world we desire.

The project is designed to begin the year with a focus on Creativity and Self Expression. Lifting our spirits in the dark days of winter gives us that power to move us on through the year. Creative self-expression can also give us hope and even enhance self-esteem. The next theme deals with Relationships and Conflict Resolution. We know that we cannot expect to accomplish anything without the ability to mediate our differences, find common ground and communicate with each other in compassionate, nonviolent ways.

The third theme involves Health and Healing Arts and considers physical and mental aspects of our health as well as the health of our communities. There are many alternative and integrative modalities, both ancient and ones that have been developed recently that we can benefit from knowing about.

Next we consider Energy, Technology and Transportation with an interest in overcoming the polluting effects of our current energy system and in preparing for a time when we don’t have access to cheap fossil fuels and will have to find energy that is renewable and local. Alternative energy and conservation are looked at here.

The next theme is meaningful and fun as we focus on Youth Empowerment tapping into the excitement and energy of young people. We worked with high school and college students to sponsor a Youth Express Fest, which inspired us all. The June focus of Food, Farming and Gardens involves everyone since we all need to eat. As we learn more about the implications of “peak oil” and diminishing reserves of fossil fuel, we are even more motivated to provide for our basic needs by growing food locally and organically. This is not a wish but a necessity if we are to survive in a “post carbon” world.

Next we focus on Neighborhood Networking and realize the joys and blessings of getting to know our neighbors and how much we can benefit from friendships, sharing resources and support. The August theme is Ecology and Natural Systems and involves looking at how our natural world supports us and how we need to protect and preserve our drinking water, forests and farmlands as our very survival depends on a healthy planet. That focus leads naturally into Eco-nomics, Resources and Recycling. Here we learn about setting up local, living economies and even consider local currencies. Again, we realize we are in a closed loop system and by supporting local businesses, we put money back into our own economy.

The final quarter of the year looks at Media and Communication as we acknowledge how media affects our decisions and how we need to use all media forms to support the creation of a sustainable world, not just promote commercial and special interests. Next we focus on Healthy Families as the very foundation of a healthy community. Without clear communication processes, good parenting skills, food and shelter, the family is floundering. And finally, we consider Our Sacred World, Spirit in Diversity. Here we bring our faith and spiritual practices to the forefront and work toward charity, mutual respect, and honoring our multi-cultural heritage with its inherent rights and responsibilities.

As The Solutions Project moves forward, we intend to enhance the establishment of affinity groups in each of the fields and facilitate an open exchange of ideas and information. Our Web site (http://www.TheSolutionsProject.org) can serve as a resource for people to learn more about each of these aspects of our lives and then apply this knowledge in their families, neighborhoods and communities. Each area of focus offers reading lists, resources, links and actions that can be taken. Through the sharing of our skills and wisdom, we hope to see strategies develop and concrete actions taken that will yield measurable results, propelling us toward a more sustainable community and world. §