The latest nobel economic prize winner, Elinor Ostrum, believes "that
common property such as natural resources can be managed successfully
without being held under a private plan or a government program." We
can create "restorative commons" which contribute to social, physical,
emotional and community health.
http://www.restorativecommons.org/Site/Home.html
One example of what this might look like is shown by the guerrilla
gardeners in Yarra. They created a food garden on the nature strip.
"Locals regularly collected greens for their dinner and pulled weeds as
they passed, the kitchen staff at the nearby Recreation pub fed the
plants with their rinse water and neighbours organised working bees to
keep the plot in shape." Shortly after a party was held to celebrate
the gardens first birthday the council informed the gardeners that it
would have to be taken down in 30 days.
In response 70 people turned up at the council meeting. Speakers
explained why they wanted to keep the garden. Gardener Glenda Lindsay
broke into her calypso number "Eat de Street" and the councillors
joined in the Mexican wave. The council dropped its objection to the
garden, voted unanimously to foster creative gardening across the
municipality and the audience went wild!
http://foodfreedom.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/guerilla-gardeners-get-a-green-light/
