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| What
we are - and our vision |
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The
Institute of Ecological Technology is a distributed self-organizing
research institute, with a focus on non-conventional ideas and
solutions within ecological technology. It was formed in Sweden in the
late 70s, inspired a lot by some ideas of the Austrian Viktor
Schauberger and has undergone a series of metamorphoses (see History), but can
be seen as a focus point for groups interested in non-conventional
ecological ideas and solutions.
An alternative research
institute
Our purpose is to be a place for discussion and co-operation for those
interested in actively helping to bring about a change and making
ecological alternatives real.
This can be done in may ways:
First of all by trying out which ideas work and which does not, and
secondly by putting those that work into practice, e.g. by devising and
spreading useful inventions. Our focus is to study presently neglected
unconventional ideas, e.g. alternative water treatment devices (such as
the Martin vortexer and the Grander water treatment device) and
evaluate to what extent they can complement or even replace traditional
approaches.
Another approach is to study and become aware of our
inter-connectedness with nature and explore new perspectives (sometimes
in areas where it previously wasn't even recognized that there existed
a second perspective). An example is Schauberger's focus on the process
of evolution and adaptation in local eco-systems where the geology and
hydrology is seen as actively participating in the eco-system, and
being reshaped by the eco-system. That is, adaptation and evolution,
not just between species in an environment, but as a complex
environment reshaping itself. The development of sand banks in rivers,
and their effect on plant growth on the banks, which in turn effects
sand bank formation is an example of such an extended eco-system.
A self-organizing institute
The IET focus point is a non-profit foundation
and the different groups form the network we call the IET Community.
The foundation IET publish quality research reports, maintain an
archive and a web site with mailing lists, and participate in arranging
the IWONE symposium (arranged every two/three years, and alternating
between Germany, Sweden and Switzerland).
IET doesn't organize any research. Different groups set their own
agendas and carry out their own projects, but we co-operate in sharing
results, and the vision that this kind of activity is necessary and
important.
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