Ecotopia

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday July 30, 2002 22:34 by billy - gluaiseacht info at ecotopia2002 dot org

Ecotopia is a gathering of people from all over Europe, and beyond, who are interested in environmental and social change.

Ecotopia 2002 will be a two-week environmental festival taking place on the shores of Lough Derg in Clare, South West Ireland. The campsite is on the shores of Lough Derg which is part of the Shannon Irelands longest River. It is an 83 acre broadleaf woodland with clearings for camping, dining & workshops. At ecotopia the Shannons calmness will be ever present!
People from all over Ireland and Europe will travel to this beautifully scenic place. It will include workshops, discussion groups, talks and activities covering a wide range of issues. The theme of this years gathering is Conflict Resolution and thus workshops on this will be held throughout. Some other areas which we hope to cover are environmental awareness, gardening, organic farming, recycling, alternative medicines, media and Indymedia, vegetarianism, ecological building, direct action, environmental law, nuclear power and energy, energy efficiency, geology, geography, ancient Irish history, genetix, sustainable living, music, dance, gender, permaculture, climate change, global social issues and the list goes on!!

During the two weeks we hope to live as a sustainable community using renewable energy resources and having the smallest possible impact on the local environment. There will be a vegetarian/vegan kitchen and children’s area. Groups will leave the camp every few days to take part in actions in the area and also to help with some local projects ; for example an area clean-up. A number of temporary structures will be built for dining, meetings and also for sleeping in.

If anyone would like to give a workshop or talk please get in touch with [email protected].

A straw bale house will be built on site.

Ecotopia 2002 is being held from August 10th - 24th.

All participants are asked to register online or by post. The cost is 5 ecos per day. Accommodation is camping but it is possible for groups or individuals to book places in tipis, geodesic domes and yurts subject to availability. For more details on registration, ecorates and Ecotopia see the website at:

http://www.ecotopia2002.org/

or email:

[email protected]

Ecotopia has been held in Europe since 1989 moving from country to country each year. Last years gathering was in Bulgaria while next years will be in Ukraine.
Sustainable transport to Ecotopia is encouraged be it by train, bike, boat or bus. A bike tour to Ecotopia takes place each year this years left Dover, England on July 10th. See www.thebike tour.net for details on how its passing through Ireland.