Solar Living Center – Solfest 08

I have always been a fan of the Solar Living Center in Hopland, CA. I love the experiential nature of the place, it  lends itself to learning. Here is where I got my first real understanding of permaculutre, with it’s passive solar architecture, foliage choices, pond scheme; all the interrelated systems that take into account time and place, to create resource efficient living.

I was not able to make this years Solfest gathering, but have attended in the past. I am hoping from the headliners chosen this year that it is a sign of the environmental/social change dialog moving up the spiral to the next level. I am guessing others are experiencing what I am, that it is time to elevate the dialog. I am pretty far past awareness of the issues and interested in the activist and organizing phase. The choice at Solfest of  Derrick Jensen (Dark Green Resistance) and Richard Heinberg (Peak Oil) signals to me that the conversation is potentially ready for more radical solutions and voices from the fringe. Although Ed Begley was a headliner as well so, maybe I am reaching. Posts to come on Bioneers and GreenFest SF to see if this is a trend or not.