I AM ECO-TOPIAN

Ecotopia

I venture to say that only the top 1% of 3% of the United State "live" here.  This population is not very well documented or understood.  Most of the time, it is ignored or discounted.  The community has come to a consensus that our world revolves around an idea that "an education grounded in a broad and deep research base offers a compelling invitation to lifelong learning".  In my world, learning is not finite and there is no end to education.


We are for better or worse optimistic about the future.  While we recognize that we are the "other'.  Ecotopians are concerned about the affect of the lesser environmentally literate population may have on world.  The community is concerned that  the greater populous does not understand environmental basics which effects their ability to understand the broad scale issues.  



The community recognizes and understands complex issues, assesses risks, evaluates environmental plans and understands how individual choices can affect local and global scales.  We have a genuine concern for the public at large and the momentum toward  a period of uncertainty.  Challenges are being mounting at all levels of our society. The Majority is not learning the skills necessary for future survival.


We recognize that practical, pragmatic and workable solutions are necessary for our world to continue. Simple solutions are the answers to the greater problems of the world. Through a coordinated and mobilized effort, networks can be built; sustained education will be the key to our survival.  My culture is the Environmentally Literate.


Being Environmentally Literate means:


"understanding of the language of the environment, but also its grammar, literature, and rhetoric." It involves understanding the underlying scientific and technological principles, societal and institutional value systems, and the spiritual, aesthetic, ethical and emotional responses that the environment invokes in all of us. -Stephen Schneider 'Defining Environmental Literacy"


In terms of the Geert-Hofstede Index, we are not presently benchmarked.  According to our demographics, we have similarities with several different countries.

POWER DISTANCE

Power Distance (PDI) - Power distance refers to the extent a country recognizes and accepts a distance from leadership. Ecotopia is similar to New Zealand; It does not accept a power distance; In fact, power is widely equally distributed.  Perceived imbalances are quickly identified and addressed through social discourse and rally.

INDIVIDUAL VS. COLLECTIVE

Individual vs. Collective (IDV) - recognizes the extent to which groups are formed.  Ecotopia has a low rating for individuals.  Ecotopia is similar to Mexico or Indonisia - Groups are easily formed through meetings and purposeful play.  Conversely, each individual is respected.  The community is based on diversity - uniqueness celebrated!

MASCULINE

Masculine vs. Feminine (MAS) - The extent to which gender separates, the Ecotopia recognizes that all each of aspects of the other is important and can hold merit in society.  Much like Canada, gender traits are equally balanced.  Ecotopians choose to draw on the diversity of gender based approaches when complex situations deem appropriate.

UNCERTAINTY AVOIDANCE

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI) - refers to the necessity for law and  rules. The UAI is very low like that of Jamaica. The Ecotopian community goes with the flow.  Rules among the community membership are few and generally the community goes with a more modeling of behavior.  Few rules exist and rarely are they broken.

LONG TERM ORIENTATION

Long Term Orientation (LTO) - While the long term orientation is high, Ecotopia is most comparable to China.  While the community recognizes urgent steps are necessary; It took time to create the situation.  Only through long term commitment to protection and restoration of the Earth's ecosystems may we fulfill our communities social obligations. Ecotopian's attitude goes along the lines - "something must be done now in order for the longer term sustainability of the world community". 


The Ecotopian community can be identified by a continuing commitment to environmental issues and activities.  Actual recognition, by sight alone is not necessarily as easy as one would expect.  Contemporary media research is scant.  Since the emergence of counter tactics like "green washing" or green marketing, true Ecotopians may not be readily identifiable. 


The color "green" holds the most visual diversity in nature.  The same hold true in the Ecotopian Community - there is room for more than one shade of green.