You need a community of individuals that all share the same passions in life and are willing to forfeit themselves for the greater of the whole. Love needs to be what is shared at every step and the continuation of that will led to the continuation of a very prosperous sustainable community. Sustainability, to me, means having the conscious awareness of what this earth can provide for you and using it to work in perfect harmony with yourself. By working in perfect harmony you are bettering both you and the earths life and relationships with others. I now see sustainability as being the only true fulfilling way to live on earth. By first recognizing yourself and respecting it, that in turn is represented through actions of love for the planet and every other human being on earth. Let the ego go and let yourself be who you want to be and work with the beautiful experience we put ourselves in!

Peace, Love, Namaste

Thanks for creating this thread, what an important topic to be discussed amongst seekers of knowledge...

what does sustainable living mean to you?
Life to me is an expression of consciousness, and sustainable living is a way ensure the abundance on conscious expression

What are your real needs and wants (2 very different thigs)?
Needs: Air, Water, Food, Sunlight, Love, Warmth, (hence the sustainable life to ensure such fundamentals)
Wants: Shelter, Clothing (when applicable ;), Women, Psychoactives, Music, Memorable Experiences,

What is necessary for food, shelter, water and energy to live in concordance with nature?
Again this is a question of wants vs. needs... I would love/want to enjoy a greenhouse with a variety of plants for fruit year round, but is not necessary to live in concordance with nature (rather just the specific plants that require a greenhouse)

what types of plants to grow for food, building, energy and health are necessary?
we actually have these attributes all detailed,

for example - we have a list that catalogs which plants we would like to grow, their soil,light,ph,climate, and other growing conditions, where to buy seed, etc. we intend to create another website that provides a downloadable PDF for others to use our sustainable living document as a framework for their own sustainable plan.

what type of herbs?
Medicinal/Healing herbs like Cannabis or Papaver Somniferum (incase of severe injury) , and other plants that have a variety of uses such as Aloe Vera,

How to use biological controls for growing and keeping unwanted pests out of gardens and living areas?
Natural oils such as neem, or other creatures to counter balance the pests, i.e. frogs are used in greenhouses to minimize flying insects.

Water and how to obtain and posibly purify it?
Rivers, Underground, Lakes, Rain, Greywater (not for obtaining, but water management is also important) we are currently finishing the potential irrigation options, and when these details are complete the sustainable living document will completely allow someone to determine which Agriculture, Animal, Architecture, Irrigation, and Energy are the right choices for their situation. This is accomplished by detailing the initial and maintenance costs, pros & cons, ease, effectiveness, and other attributes necessary to know when determining such important aspects of ones living situation.

What types of green shelter can be used?
Again another area we are continuing to document will detail, I've seen many solutions such as cob that are effective and can be made from material located on the property.

what type of communications and how to stay connected?
As long as the world economy breathes then the internet will remain... on a small community level, either radio or well panned mornings will help keep the team focused with sound intention.

Thank you for this opportunity to work together, I am very thankful.

Peace, Love & Namaste