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Not that Las Gaviotas needs to justify itself to you, or the world for that matter, but I would view the situation as follows:<div><br></div><div>What is Las Gaviotas? Las Gaviotas is a sustainable community/living laboratory in the Orinoco Basin of Colombia. The community was founded on the principle that "one day, the world's population, particularly in the tropics (as it is the world's fastest growing population), will be forced to learn how to live in the world's most inhospitable locations". Accordingly, the development objectives for the community were to create a community using only the resources provided by the llanos. In accordance with the Club of Rome's publication "Limits to Growth" (which sustainablility enthusiasts surely are aware of), the community began to demonstrate the notion of systems design and the relationship between Paolo and Gunter Pauli (member of the Club of Rome) inspired the founding of ZERI and its 5 kingdoms of nature approach to systems design through experimentation in the community. More than ever, in spite of its unprecedented success, Las Gaviotas continues to be true to its objectives and remains a leader as a living laboratory for the world as it moves beyond relatively simple solutions like sleeve-pumps and windmills to more intense projects like producing new essential oils, medications and bio-polymers and sustainable bio-diesel models from the reforestation process. </div><div><br></div><div>Now, on to the unjustified justification...</div><div><br></div><div>1) In accordance with its objectives, Las Gaviotas - as suggested by Paolo, believes in local solutions to local problems. An idea whose application you have disputed. Let us look more closely at this... if Las Gaviotas had chosen to abandon its objective and import an existing solution such as standard water pumps, it would not have solved the real problem with access to safe water: the low water table during the dry season. That is an example of the basis for the community's beliefs.</div><div><br></div><div>2) In spite of your observations as to the lack of dissemination of technology outside of Colombia, Las Gaviotas has gone to incredible and unprecedented lengths to share its technologies. Sleeve-pumps and windmills were distributed to neighboring settlements throughout the Orinoco basin. These were either sold or exchanged for food and/or services. Not to mention the obvious humanitarianism in that the community realized the need for water and health care and recognized their connection to the region. For those outside of Colombia, including those in non-Spanish seaking regions, there are manuals printed in comic book fashion with step-by-step parts lists and instructions. I've digitized my copies and I will send them to Robert for posting on the FOG website, if everyone wishes. I've kept them to myself for reasons of copyright infringement, however, after talking with Paolo, I don't see it that way anymore. He says, and I am paraphrasing, "they share their technologies because their economy is built upon value-added economies and is not subject to competition, rather, it fosters cooperation". </div><div><br></div><div>The lack of dissemination of the windmills and sleeve-pumps has mostly to do with the availabilty of capital resources as well as demand for the products. As noted by Weisman, many of the neighboring settlements did not properly maintain their pumps or windmill systems and it was economically impossible for Las Gaviotas to continue producing and maintaining them. It is also the case, as the community gained support and notoriety from the UNDP, Colombian governemnt and other nations such as Japan, that there was not such a need for the windmills and pumps as there was for the solar water heaters and raw material of pine resin. The developments that launched the economy of Las Gaviotas were of military and hotel installations within and around Bogota. There is no need for a pump or windmill in the urbanized mountainous regions of Colombia. The international investments from such places as Japan were more focused on raw materials than they were a need for Japan to acquire sleeve-pumps and windmills. </div><div><br></div><div>We must also bare in mind that Weisman's book was authored in 1995, after all of this has taken place. It is true that the pump is an inspiration and a staple of the community, however, it is not their economy. </div><div><br></div><div>3) Las Gaviotas continues to experiment and explore ways of sharing their technologies with the outside world. Of recent, it has attempted to partner with the Colombian military and government as well as multiple international public and private investors on the Marandua project. Not only will this venture exponentially increase the reforestation and biodiesel programs, but it will also foster dissemination of technologies through scientific/eco-tourism. Unfortunately, as we can all now see, working with the Colombian government (or any government) is difficult due to the levels of corruption and competing interests. So much so that Paolo now refers to Marandua, if he refers to it at all, as simply an idea. This is surely heartbreaking for many of us who have invested ourselves to seeing the project move forward. In spite of this, Paolo has acknowledged an increasing interest in allowing scientific/eco-tourism to Las Gaviotas. This will only happen when the community feels it becomes safe and appropriate for all parties involved.</div><div><br></div><div>4) On the global scene, it is not the responsibility of Las Gaviotas to share its technologies. It is theirs, and all of ours, responsibility to be a model unto the world. The world is perfectly capable of being inspired and choosing its own respective ways. Take for example, the Clinton Global Initiative's 2006 investment of $16.4M to install 4,000 merry-go-round style "play-pumps" in 10 African countries. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px; ">http://commitments.clintonglobalinitiative.org/projects.htm?mode=view&rid=43026 </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; ">There is no way that it should be considered "justified" for Las Gaviotas to attempt to make such an out-of-reach investment of their resources when they are better left to surviving and inspiring Colombia in ways appropriate to them. Always remember what Las Gaviotas is, not what you perceive it could be. Be inspired. Think for yourself and question authority. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; ">There that should get the debate going. By the way, Bienvenue Manfred! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; ">Salud!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; ">Dave Dingman </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "><br></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 8pt; "> </span></div><div><br></div><div> <br><div><br>> From: pinefarm@uniontel.net<br>> To: gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>> Date: Wed, 5 Nov 2008 07:45:46 -0600<br>> Subject: Re: [Gaviotas] Bienvenue Manfred!<br>> <br>> If that is true, what justification is there for not sharing it with the <br>> world and easing the burden on millions of women who pump water every day?<br>> ----- Original Message ----- <br>> From: "Katherine Holt" <katherine@peakinsight.com><br>> To: "'Discussion relating to Gaviotas village in Colombia, their <br>> technologies, philosophy, etc'" <gaviotas@greenbuilder.com><br>> Sent: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 5:46 AM<br>> Subject: Re: [Gaviotas] Bienvenue Manfred!<br>> <br>> <br>>>I have been to Gaviotas and have seen/used one of the sleeve pumps. It<br>>> truly is a marvel. I could operate it with my fingertips - unlike the<br>>> pump I had to use in northern Minnesota which took an enormous amount of<br>>> effort.<br>>><br>>> Katherine<br>>><br>>> -----Original Message-----<br>>> From: gaviotas-bounces@greenbuilder.com<br>>> [mailto:gaviotas-bounces@greenbuilder.com] On Behalf Of Dave Johnson<br>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 8:35 PM<br>>> To: Discussion relating to Gaviotas village in Colombia, their<br>>> technologies, philosophy, etc<br>>> Subject: Re: [Gaviotas] Bienvenue Manfred!<br>>><br>>><br>>> But, it is a dumb idea. That's why nobody in the hundreds of years<br>>> reciprocating pumps have been around has ever built one where the sleeve<br>>><br>>> moves and the plunger is stationary. I'll bet you nobody at Gaviotas<br>>> ever<br>>> made one either and that's why we've never seen one from there. I think<br>>> Weisman was either taken in or he just got it wrong. Lugari should<br>>> either<br>>> admit the pump is a hoax or produce one. He's done neither to my<br>>> knowledge.<br>>> ----- Original Message ----- <br>>> From: "Caleb Frase" <CalebFrase@communityproducts.com><br>>> To: "'Discussion relating to Gaviotas village in Colombia, their<br>>> technologies, philosophy, etc'" <gaviotas@greenbuilder.com><br>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 8:13 PM<br>>> Subject: Re: [Gaviotas] Bienvenue Manfred!<br>>><br>>><br>>>> Dave Johnson<br>>>> A pump is a pump, I have to say that the sleeve pump concept is easy<br>>>> enough to imagine for anyone with a little practical background. A<br>>> friend<br>>>> of mine built a very effective pump using PVC pipe and wooden plungers<br>>><br>>>> with leather seals. It was powered by a see-saw motion, done with two<br>>> hand<br>>>> levers at shoulder height. I thought it was a great concept and<br>>> suggested<br>>>> that he expand it and create a stepper and a bike. The potential to do<br>>><br>>>> something useful while burning calories seemed attractive.<br>>>> Deriding ideas as being dumb doesn't help anyone.<br>>>> -Caleb<br>>>><br>>>> -----Original Message-----<br>>>> From: gaviotas-bounces@greenbuilder.com<br>>>> [mailto:gaviotas-bounces@greenbuilder.com]On Behalf Of Dave Johnson<br>>>> Sent: Tuesday, November 04, 2008 6:22 PM<br>>>> To: Discussion relating to Gaviotas village in Colombia, their<br>>>> technologies, philosophy, etc<br>>>> Subject: Re: [Gaviotas] Bienvenue Manfred!<br>>>><br>>>><br>>>> His argument falls short when it is applied to the so called<br>>>> inventions of Gaviotas, especially to the "sleeve pump". A pump is a<br>>>> pump. If it works one place, it will work almost any place and yet<br>>>> nobody in the years since the book came out has ever seen one, not<br>>>> even detailed plans for one. It is a dumb idea and I doubt that there<br>>>> is or ever was any such thing. Dave Johnson<br>>>> ----- Original Message -----<br>>>> From: "Heath Synnestvedt" <thapeloheath@gmail.com><br>>>> To: <gaviotas@greenbuilder.com><br>>>> Sent: Monday, November 03, 2008 8:21 PM<br>>>> Subject: [Gaviotas] Bienvenue Manfred!<br>>>><br>>>><br>>>>> Welcome!<br>>>>> I don't speak French (yet) though i was born in Canada. Yo si aprendi<br>>><br>>>>> espanol en sudamerica, pero aqui en esta lista se usa primeramente el<br>>><br>>>>> Ingles. Like you i was captivated by Alan Weisman's book, and this<br>>>>> past May i had the privilege of meeting Paulo Lugari in Philadelphia.<br>>>>> Your paragraph below:<br>>>>>>Pienso tambien que necesitamos inventar para el nuevo siglo, un tipo<br>>>>>>de<br>>>>> sociedad diferente. Una communedad como Gaviotas, aunque no siendo la<br>>><br>>>>> unica de este tipo, represente un modelo interesante de experimento.<br>>>>> ...represents a beautiful accord with what i heard Sr. Lugari<br>>>>> emphasizing<br>>>>> in his lectures and conversations: The current state of human<br>>> development<br>>>>> on<br>>>>> this planet is at a point where wake-up calls are well worth acting<br>>> upon,<br>>>>> and Gaviotas is just one model of a community creating itself as a<br>>>>> distinct<br>>>>> organism separate from the prevailing (unhealthy) trends.<br>>>>> A great number of the questions asked of this man were of what<br>>>>> recommendations he would make for this or that situation. His<br>>> consistent<br>>>>> answer came with a good-humored smile. Gaviotas came into being in<br>>> the<br>>>>> desolate tropical plains of a country at war with itself. How to<br>>>>> replicate<br>>>>> the way Gaviotas operates in Philadelphia? The specific solutions do<br>>> not<br>>>>> apply in this context. It is the model of respecting everyone's<br>>>>> contribution, decentralization of power and authority and the<br>>> creative<br>>>>> generation of local solutions to local challenges: this is what he<br>>> urges<br>>>>> us<br>>>>> to do. Sr. Lugari assures us that although he is seen as the<br>>> mouthpiece<br>>>>> for<br>>>>> Gaviotas and he was instrumental in founding it, he is an ordinary<br>>> member<br>>>>> of<br>>>>> the group, not it's head or leader. "Leaders are for mediocre<br>>> societies,"<br>>>>> he<br>>>>> said on a Sunday session.<br>>>>><br>>>>> Lest i get shunned or worse (it is voting day tomorrow here in the<br>>>>> U.S.) allow me to say that i love taking direction from someone i<br>>>>> really deeply respect, and i enjoy asking people to do things too. On<br>>><br>>>>> principle, then, I don't see this as a mark of a mediocre society as<br>>>>> it would seem Lugari is saying. Where it really rings true to me is<br>>>>> when force or threats of violence are employed by a leader to coerce<br>>>>> those who follow. Then, surely,<br>>>>> it is a mediocre society at best.<br>>>>><br>>>>> This list is as you heard a great place to come into contact with<br>>>>> people who are in this field of renewable energy systems. I am<br>>>>> currently more of a student of life, love and wisdom than a<br>>>>> professional in any field, but i have met several of those on here<br>>>>> too! I suggest putting out a simplified resume/vision message on here<br>>><br>>>>> that may attract the attention of someone looking for a graduate of<br>>>>> such a program as you have been doing. There are<br>>>>> countless opportunities available! Be specific and the right one will<br>>><br>>>>> open<br>>>>> for you.<br>>>>><br>>>>> Be well,<br>>>>> Heath Emanuel Synnestvedt<br>>>>> -------------- next part --------------<br>>>>> An HTML attachment was scrubbed...<br>>>>> URL:<br>>>>> <http://greenbuilder.com/pipermail/gaviotas/attachments/20081103/8ee2<br>>>>> 9d63/attachment.html><br>>>>> _______________________________________________<br>>>>> Gaviotas mailing list<br>>>>> Gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>>>>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/gaviotas<br>>>>><br>>>>><br>>>><br>>>> _______________________________________________<br>>>> Gaviotas mailing list<br>>>> Gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>>>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/gaviotas<br>>>> _______________________________________________<br>>>> Gaviotas mailing list<br>>>> Gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>>>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/gaviotas<br>>>><br>>>><br>>><br>>> _______________________________________________<br>>> Gaviotas mailing list<br>>> Gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/gaviotas<br>>><br>>> --<br>>> This message was scanned by ESVA and is believed to be clean.<br>>><br>>> _______________________________________________<br>>> Gaviotas mailing list<br>>> Gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/gaviotas<br>>><br>>> <br>> <br>> _______________________________________________<br>> Gaviotas mailing list<br>> Gaviotas@greenbuilder.com<br>> http://greenbuilder.com/mailman/listinfo/gaviotas<br></div></div><br /><hr />Windows Live Hotmail now works up to 70% faster. <a href='http://windowslive.com/Explore/Hotmail?ocid=TXT_TAGLM_WL_hotmail_acq_faster_112008' target='_new'>Sign up today.</a></body>
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