A Simple Life? : the symbolic significance of environmentalism in the construction of a community : case study in the ecovillage of Las Nubes in Veracruz, Mexico

Abstract

We hear and read about it every day on the news, on TV, radio and newspapers; human activity is having a huge damaging impact on the environment both physically and socially. Physically, we are witnessing a rapid climate change, eroded lands, pollution, increase population, disappearance of species, etc. In the social aspect, with a culture based on constant growth of markets and with a world which is more and more interconnected we are creating a vast disparity between people, the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. This causes inequality, hunger, social injustice, poverty and thus creates the potential for horrifying human catastrophes and wars.

In order to avoid this we must rethink our values and change our consumerist patterns of living. This is what Las Nubes is about, a group of people who have decided to do something about this. They have been brought together by a desire to protect nature and live in a more socially just society.

My project, a case study of a group of people in Mexico, from different backgrounds about to negotiate the construction of common identity based on a concern of environmental issues.

This study deals with the complexity of constructing a life in more equilibrium with nature, where a sense of community is important and with an ecological and socially oriented economy. This seems to be particularly difficult to achieve when modern day society is characterized by total opposite living standards.

It takes a great deal of courage, knowledge and resources to create a ‘simple’ life.