Sustainable Taos through time: Ancestral pueblos to earthship futures

We recently had the chance to spend a full day in Taos, New Mexico. During our visit we first toured the 1,000+ year old Taos Pueblo in the morning. Later in the day we toured the still developing Earthship Biotecture community located approximately 14 miles west of town. It was a fascinating comparison between two surprisingly similar philosophies of conservation, sustainability, and the protection nature. In fact, their belief systems would be good foundation to start form for those communities that are facing the daunting realities of climate change. Here are the similarities noted (others may apply, as well):

• Both communities employ(ed) soil from the Earth to create their structures through thick walls of abode bricks for the pueblo to rammed-earth tires and recycled beer can bricks in the earthships. These designs keep the interior cool in the High Desert heat of summer and holds the warmth in during the chilly days of winter.

• Both believe in minimizing their individual and collective impacts on the planet – the pueblo through use of natural construction materials and the earthship community by utilizing natural materials that are blended with the recycling and reuse of garbage such as bottles, cans, tires, etc.

• Much of their food is locally grown and prepared within the two communities.

• Both communities encourage and practice sustainability on a daily basis.

• The care, conservation, protection, and reuse of precious water resources is observable in both communities.

• Neither community over consumes goods and services, but instead employs minimalistic ethics.

• Xeriscaping that is consistent with the natural surroundings is employed within both communities.

• These beliefs and traditions are being handed down to future generations to assure the continuance of the community and its eco-friendly practices.

Images from these two remarkable communities are provided below. Peace!

TAOS PUEBLO

Adobe baking oven

Rio Pueblo passing through the Taos Pueblo

EARTHSHIP BIOTECTURE COMMUNITY

Example of an earthship dwelling

Wall created using rammed-earth tire as the base and bottles across the upper portions.

Food being grown within an Earthship