Etopia Sustainable Communities

How Zimbabwe’s Rainwater Harvesting Strategies Can Be Applied in the US

Posted on 20 February 2023 by Namaara MacMoragh

Zimbabwe has dealt with recurring droughts and destructive floods for decades. But farmers there are adapting to the changing climate by implementing rainwater harvesting strategies. These same low-cost, scalable methods can be used to reduce the impact of droughts and floods by large- and small-scale farmers in the US. Homegrown Harvesting Efforts Since the devastating 1991-1992 drought, Zimbabwe, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, has been hit by several droughts—the most recent taking place in the 2021-2022 farming season. Experts have warned that by 2100, arid and semi-arid regions across Africa are expected to expand by five to eight percent.

Plastics. Jon Oliver Does It Again.

Posted on 24 March 2021 by Namaara MacMoragh

At Etopia we know that while there’s a lot we can do to reduce our personal footprint, there’s a lot that isn’t. Controlling personal plastic consumption is. For example, we can choose to shop at food cooperative or other store that offers bulk-buying (which btw can be done correctly even during a pandemic) or buy and store items in glass (reusable and will save you tons of money). What happens to the plastic already out there and the continued production of the stuff isn’t. And that’s where this terrific video from Last Week Tonight’s Jon Oliver is a must watch.

Gosau Dachstien SL Offers More than Holiday Shopping

Posted on 10 December 2020 by Namaara MacMoragh

I don’t often write about other regions, but this place is AMAZING! Gosau am Dachstein in SL has all the elements of a perfect winter experience. There’s a fun little market when you first land. Santa stands there with his list and checking it twice. The market booths have traditional and fun gift ideas along with some standard SL fare. I especially enjoyed the treats and holiday spirit of the market. The fun thing is that there is someone nearby to welcome you, share information about the real Gosau am Dachstein in Austria, and to answer questions. As I strolled

Harvest Party With Our Etopia BESTies!

Posted on 28 November 2020 by Namaara MacMoragh

We know that because of COVID many Americans could not spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends as in past years. So, we hosted the BEST Etopia Harvest Celebration in Second Life. Friends of BEST and Etopia came from across the grid and around the world to celebrate friendship, the bounty of our harvest, and the preciousness of life. Guests from across the US shared how enjoyable it was to spend time with friends because otherwise, they would have been alone and isolated. Some people in our community who logged in and joined us for the festivities live in