What is Global Ark?

The concept of Global Ark was initiated by a feasibility study to form a sustainable community living project in Norfolk, which continues to be under development.  During this study it was noted that a Yale University project has been asking why so few people are living sustainably.

We all know, or think we know, about climate change, and many believe that the State recognises the issues and the need to live sustainably. However, those who are trying to prepare plans and proposals for ecological buildings and sustainable community living projects (SCLPs) which can only be of environmental benefit, still encounter difficulties negotiating innovative and, sometimes, unusual proposals through the traditional consent processes in this country.

Parents the whole planet over are aware through theory or daily reality of the likely impact of climate change for the future of their children, and the millions suffering and dying due to the effects of climate change are already having their ‘Right to Life’ taken away from them.

The global commercial emphasis on profitability is itself unsustainable, and untenable for the planet’s population.  Minimising investments and maximising profit whilst seeing nature as an industrial resource is creating an imbalance which we will find hard, if not impossible to rectify.

Although United Nations Agenda 21, 1992, encourages the cooperation and inclusive policies which set to empower those suffering exclusion and deprivation, with specific reference to the role of women in sustainable community projects, the search to date for grant aid to establish Global Ark is proving difficult.  How do you establish a track record in order to attract funds when you need funds to establish a track record?

Global Ark and its projects aim to work below the level of the political or corporate – at the individual or small group level.  We present no threat to the aims of global idealists, just seek the opportunity to connect those of a like mind around the world who have something to give and who wish to learn from others about living sustainably, and re-learning the skills necessary to reduce our impact on the Earth.

It is the individual multiplied by millions that will save this planet.  It is Global Ark’s aim that we play a part in bringing about the networking information exchange culture that will allow this to happen.

Our concept of rural and urban regenerative, sustainable community living projects offers a new model for the future. It is about small scale, individualistic and ecological living with an opportunity to grow through knowledge exchange.  We aim to connect the rural and urban with the indigenous.  We will use technology – Pandora’s box is open – but to heal, not exploit.

Once  financially seeded and established, Global Ark Projects will generate the income needed through the Ark’s environmental and ethical directory and we will redistribute net profits to, amongst other objects:

• ·Form further restorative, self-sustainable community living projects - globally
• ·Support ‘water for all’ projects
• ·Support ‘education for all’ projects
• ·Support other third-sector organisations, charities and other NPDs
• ·Fund solar and wave powered desalination plants, feasibly providing water wherever possible to:
• ·Give a regular supply of clean drinking water to those in need
• ·Irrigate as much of the 41% total landmass currently classified as dryland
• ·Provide local industry where it is needed most, through sales of refined minerals extracted in desalination (table salt to lithium - itself needed for storage of solar energy)

The work of re-greening our planet incrementally will then have begun.