THE NEW ALCHEMY INSTITUTE STARTS ITS SECOND DECADE

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In addition, a selection of new—and as yet unproven —projects are in progress at the Institute. For example, a pond which has been sealed by an organic technique called the gley method—perfected by Bill McLarney at the Costa Rica station— is now growing fish and tomatoes in symbiosis. The aquatic creatures produce wastes which are fed to the tomatoes hydroponically, after which the filtered and aerated water drains back into the pond.

WHERE TO?

Each of the 22 full-time alchemists (who comprise a wide range of training, background, and expertise) works independently—or as part of a small team on what are frequently separate projects. Yet the efforts of the individuals constantly add pieces to the puzzle of a self-sustaining, ecologically sound existence. Over the last several years the group has incorporated a number of its successes in a structure which is called the "ark" . . . a prototype of a solar powered, self-sufficient, environmentally positive shelter.

Superficially, the ark appears to be little more than a solar greenhouse. But inside, the best of ten years' worth of ideas have come incredibly close to producing an energy-balanced shelter. Within the translucent walls, enough vegetables can be grown—using wholistic methods —to feed a family of four with greens all year round. A half-dozen tilapia ponds collect the heat of the sun and provide a regular supply of protein. And —between the solar ponds and the ark's rock storage bed—an adequate reserve of sun heat is stashed away to maintain comfortable temperatures through New England's infamous inclement periods.

When the Todds and McLarney formed the New Alchemy Institute ten years ago, such an ark was little more than a vague hope ... a hedge against what looked to many people at the time like inevitable apocalypse. Today, however, the concept of a solar-based ecosystem is a proven one ... and the New Alchemists are preparing to take the next step forward. In collaboration with such notables as William Irwin Thompson, Amory Lovins, and Buckminster Fuller (to name a few of the more familiar), Dr. Todd is designing a village-scale ark ... something that he and Margaret Mead envisioned several years before the famous anthropologist's death.

While a village ark may actually prove to be a fulcrum for social change on a world level, global-scale systems are not a part of the alchemists' plan. Indeed, the group foresees a time when the technology that has come frighteningly close to killing us could provide us with the option of reversing the present grossly inefficient trend toward global growth economics and multinational corporations ... a time when microelectronics could be used to realize the idea of miniaturized manufacturing plants (which would save energy by being situated close to where their products will be used).

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